At least 14 individuals have been confirmed dead following a mine collapse in El Callao municipality, located in southeastern Venezuela's Bolivar state. The incident occurred at the "Cuatro Esquinas de Caratal" gold mine after torrential rains led to flooding, weakening the mine's vertical shafts. The collapse affected three separate shafts, trapping miners inside. Emergency teams from the National Risk System are actively conducting recovery operations, including pumping water from the shafts to facilitate rescue efforts.

El Callao, a town with approximately 30,000 residents, heavily relies on gold mining, with many residents engaged in the industry either directly or indirectly. The collapse has highlighted the ongoing challenges in Venezuela's mining sector, including unsafe working conditions and inadequate regulation.

Authorities have not yet provided an official statement regarding the number of individuals still trapped. The incident underscores the need for improved safety measures and oversight in the country's mining operations.