Unexpected Disaster at Vega de Rengos Mine
Last Friday, a tragedy struck the Vega de Rengos coal mine in the municipality of Cangas del Narcea: two workers died after a sudden ceiling collapse in one of the galleries. Preliminary reports describe a sharp and unpredictable cave-in that caught the miners off guard. The collapse happened in a production area about 70 meters long, where the coal seam was up to three meters wide. Experts estimate that between six to eight meters of rock fell from the ceiling—enough to completely bury two people.
The victims have been identified as 32-year-old Óscar Díaz from Cangas del Narcea and 42-year-old Anilso Soares de Brito, who lived in Villablino. The latter was originally from Cape Verde and resided in the Laciana region of León. Their deaths have dealt a heavy blow to the local community and the entire mining sector in the region.
Inspections and Safety: Details of the Investigation
Immediately after the incident, inspectors from the Mine Safety Authority arrived at the scene. Interestingly, just one day before the tragedy, the site had been inspected by two officials, who found no signs of danger. Authorities emphasize that Tyc Narcea, the company owning the mine, undergoes regular checks—inspections are conducted every three weeks, some of them unannounced. At the time of the accident, the company was operating under a special anthracite extraction project, allowing up to 90,000 tons of high-quality coal to be mined for metallurgical testing.
Regional authorities point out that Tyc Narcea was under constant supervision, with all permits and regulations strictly adhered to. After the tragedy at another mine, Cerredo, where five people died in March due to a methane explosion during unauthorized mining, oversight of facilities in Asturias was strengthened. Unlike Cerredo, where no inspections had been held for half a year, at Vega-de-Rengos checks were regular and all documentation was up to date.
Company response and suspension of operations
The owner of Tyc Narcea expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and stressed that the company has always strictly followed safety standards. Despite the experience and professionalism of its employees, the tragedy struck suddenly and could not have been foreseen. The company declared its full cooperation with authorities and provided all necessary resources for the accident investigation.
As a sign of mourning, all operations at the mine have been completely halted. Work will not resume at least until the investigation is completed. Right now, the main priority is to allow experts to thoroughly examine the circumstances of the incident and determine exactly what caused such a tragic outcome.
Losses for the region and remembrance of the victims
The deaths of Óscar Díaz and Anilso Soares de Brito were a tragedy not only for their families, but for the entire mining community of Asturias and León. Both workers were well known among their colleagues, and their experience and professionalism were highly valued by the company. The news was especially hard for the community in Laciana, where Anilso lived, and in Cangas del Narcea, Óscar’s hometown.
Authorities and company management emphasize that their current priority is supporting the families of the deceased and ensuring the transparency of the investigation. New details about the inspection are expected in the coming days, but one thing is already clear: the tragedy in Vega de Rengos is a stark reminder of the risks that miners face every day.
