The Venezuelan NGO Kapé Kapé assured this Thursday that three indigenous people died in the collapse that took place in an illegal mine in the Amazonian state of Bolívar (bordering Brazil), where 16 people lost their lives and another 16 suffered injuries of varying degrees, according to the balance of the authorities.
(Also: (Video) The devastating moment when the illegal mine collapses in Venezuela).
The recent collapse at the 'Bulla Loca' mine (…) illustrates the environmental and social crisis that accompanies illegal mining in the country, especially in regions inhabited by indigenous communities
In a press release, The non-governmental organization explained that three men from two indigenous communities appear on the list of fatalities, something that was confirmed by “indigenous authorities”, according to the letter, which sets out the identities of these three deceased.
“The recent collapse at the 'Bulla Loca' mine (…) illustrates the environmental and social crisis that accompanies illegal mining in the country, especially in regions inhabited by indigenous communities,” the note continues.
(Be sure to read: Relatives of victim in Venezuela mine collapse denounce that it was 'provoked').
The NGO highlighted that mining activity “contaminates water sources with mercury, sediment and other chemicals, putting the health of communities and local fauna at risk.”l”, while massive deforestation “generates soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and impact on the local climate.”
Likewise, he recalled that indigenous communities “are displaced from their ancestral territories” due to the extractivism of natural resources that predominates in this area, in which armed groups operate.
Survivors of the collapse assured EFE this Thursday that the Government is lying about the number of deaths after the collapse. happened last Monday, and they demanded real data from the authorities and to continue searching for the people who, they claim, are still walled up.
(Also: Venezuelan former lieutenant, opponent of Maduro, would also have been detained in Colombia).
The NGO SOS Orinoco reported that the mine had registered an accelerated expansion of 80 hectares in 10 months, something that is repeated in other mines located in the area, where, according to the organization, “similar accidents could occur.”
President Nicolás Maduro confirmed that it is an illegal mine to which the Executive has sent “the entire Civil Protection team”, and assured that, although the area “is very inland” and with connection problems, the rescue teams “they have been on site” since Wednesday.
EFE
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