Colombian illegal goldmine collapse kills 5

At least five people were killed and 17 others injured Friday in the collapse of an illegal goldmine in southwestern Colombia, said the authorities. The remote goldmine in the heart of a jungle near the city of Santa Barbara in Narino Department can only be reached by boat or helicopter, which makes search and rescue operations difficult, said Narino Governor Raul Delgado. Preliminary investigation showed that the tragedy may be caused by unlicensed digging that loosened the earth, added the departmental chief. Colombia has a rich resource of gold. However, with some areas under the control of armed anti-government groups, it has been difficult for mining companies to conduct business, while illegal, private mining is common in parts of the country.