Mine Collapse in Nicaragua Traps at Least 10

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – (AFP) A mudslide in an unlicensed gold mine in Nicaragua trapped at least 10 workers Friday, December 4th, state-run media reported.

Crews began work to try to rescue the miners after the accident in the La Esperanza region of southern Nicaragua.

Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is also the government spokeswoman, did not say how many miners were in the shaft when it collapsed or if there were fatalities.

“We hope not to have bad news,” she said, according to the government news site El 19 Digital.

The independent newspaper La Prensa quoted witnesses as saying at least 15 people are trapped in the mine.

In Nicaragua an estimated 3,000 people work in unlicensed mines.