Three miners have died this morning inside the mine ICL in Suria in a landslide that has trapped them, according to confirmation from the fire department. The incident occurred about 900 meters deep and at first the rescue services of the company itself have intervened. Subsequently, crews from the Generalitat Fire Department and the Mossos d’Esquadra have been incorporated, which have been alerted at half past eight in the morning.
According to ICL representatives, in principle there would be no more workers affected, although the company stresses that it is necessary for the teams to arrive at the scene to carry out an assessment. The causes of the detachment are unknown and are being investigated. ICL is cautious in confirming the three deaths and awaits the coroner’s report.
Coordinated work with the other emergency facilities in the accident occurred at the Súria mine pic.twitter.com/JRtLa3Lr3G
— Mossos (@mossos) March 9, 2023
The Emergency Medical Services have two ambulances and two medicalized helicopters in place, and a team of psychologists to care for colleagues and family members.
Eight fire brigades have been activated. The emergency bodies are now assessing how to rescue the miners. For now, it has not been possible to reach the accident site because they are advancing slowly to ensure that there is safety in the space where they must work.
For their part, the Mossos d’Esquadra have activated the mountain team, the canine unit and the underground unit. The Emergency Medical System (SEM) has sent two land units, two medicalized helicopters and a team of psychologists to care for colleagues and family members given the seriousness of the accident.
The mine, completely stopped
The activity in the mine, as usual in cases of fatal accidents, has been completely stopped and the miners who are not necessary for the rescue of the bodies leave the facilities this morning as a sign of mourning that will last at least 24 hours. .
The President of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, has opened his intervention in the session of the Parliament of Catalonia, with a message of support for families.
Two fatal accidents in June 2020
The last two fatal accidents at ICL mines took place in June 2020, within three weeks of each other. Pau Camp, a 45-year-old from Manresa and son of the composer Manel Camp, lost his life on June 4 in Vilafruns, in Balsareny, when a large rocky plate fell on him, what is known as a smooth rock.
Related news
On the 25th of the same month, Ángel Mielgo Raposo, a 55-year-old resident of Puig-reig, died astonished by a landslide. The incident occurred on the mine’s conveyor belt, which came loose.
Going back further, in 2015, in Vilafruns itself, Sergi Font Vilardell from Navas, lost his life at the age of 26 while doing maintenance work when a rock fell on him from the gallery where he was located.