The Golden Mine Avalanche, at least 14 People Dead

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - at least 14 people died and seven others suffered injuries following the collapse of an illegal gold mine in the southwest of Colombia. This deadly accident occurred in the rural sector of Chambero located in the city of Santa Barbara de Iscuande, Nariño Province, on Monday (19 / 10 / 2026) local time.

Quoting Reuben, Tuesday (20 / 10 / 2026), the search-and-rescue operation of the victims at the scene has now been declared completed. Governor Nariño, Luis Alfonso Escobar, confirms the immediate evacuation process.

This tragedy triggered a reaction from local authorities. The governor specifically urged the national government, the National Mining Agency, as well as the Colombian Ministry of Mining and Energy to immediately take real steps regarding the status of the miners.

"speed up the formalization process for illegal miners and small scales," firmly Escobar.

"This move to improve the working conditions and safety standards."

The deadly incident in this mining sector was not the first to occur in the region. In August, 13 people were also reported killed in a similar mining accident located in the town of Policarpa, also located in Nariño Province.

The informal and unregulated mining practices are still very common in rural Colombia. That kind of wild mining operation often doesn't have an adequate safety infrastructure, so it consistently triggers a string of fatal accidents.