A major rescue operation is underway in the mining settlement of Vega de Rengos, located in the Cangas del Narcea municipality. A sudden collapse of a coal mass in one of the underground workings has trapped three workers beneath the surface. The incident occurred on the second or third level of the mine, where extraction operations were in progress.
The site is more than a hundred kilometers from Oviedo, in a remote mountainous area of Asturias. A mine rescue team was urgently airlifted in by helicopter to coordinate the operation. They were joined by firefighters, paramedics, the mobile intensive care unit, and members of the civil guard. All available resources are focused on reaching the trapped miners as quickly as possible.
Emergency services and authorities on the scene
Among those present are two inspectors from the regional mining authority, as well as the head of the department of energy and mining industry of the autonomous government, Javier Cueli. Their task is to assess the situation and ensure all safety measures are followed during the rescue.
The mine where the incident occurred is owned by TyC Narcea. Its operations had already been suspended earlier in April following a tragedy at another mine in Degaña, where an accident resulted in the deaths of five miners and injuries to four others. At that time, authorities temporarily halted work to verify that all processes complied with issued permits.
History of the mine and recent protests
After the April tragedy, the regional mining authority imposed a temporary ban on further exploration and operations. This decision sparked discontent among the staff, who organized a protest in the regional capital. It was only in early June, after a thorough inspection, that authorities allowed operations to resume, and about seventy employees returned to work.
Despite the resumption of operations, the situation at the mine remained under close scrutiny. Authorities monitored strict compliance with all safety requirements. However, the latest incident has once again raised questions about the reliability and safety of mining enterprises in the region.
Causes of the incident and progress of the rescue operation
The exact cause of the collapse remains unknown. Preliminary reports suggest it was triggered by a sudden shift of rock mass inside the underground workings. Experts do not rule out either natural or technological factors as possible causes. Final conclusions will be drawn after the rescue operation is completed and a technical examination is conducted.
At present, the fate of the three missing workers remains unknown. Rescuers continue to work under difficult conditions as they attempt to reach the trapped miners. The operation is complicated by unstable rock and the risk of further collapses. Regional authorities are closely monitoring the situation, while relatives of the workers wait for updates at the mine entrance.
The situation is ongoing, and updates will be published as new information becomes available.
