Colorado mine updates: One dead and 23 rescued after “equipment malfunction” leaves dozens trapped in underground
A rescue operation was launched of Thursday afternoon after a dozen people found themselves trapped in a tourist mine in Colorado
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One person died and 23 others had to be rescued an acciddent left them trapped in an 1,000-foot-deep gold mine in Colorado.
“I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement Thursday night, as per CNN. An “equiptment malfunction” sparked the emergecy efforts, with the sheriff’s office confirming early on Thursday afternoon that “the mine did not collapse”
Four others recieved treatment for minor injuries after being rescued.
The 1,000-foot mine is advertised as a tourist site to learn about mining in the “Old West.”
What it looks like inside the Mollie Kathleen mine
At least 12 people are trapped in a defunct Colorado gold mine used for historical tours.
Photographer Ted Silvius, who visited the mine a few years ago, shared photos on X of what it looks like inside the 1,000 foot-deep cavern.
What’s the history of the Mollie Kathleen Mine?
The mine at the center of today’s incident was discovered in 1891 and in operation until 1961, according to Colorado Public Radio.
Visitors to the mine, now a tourism destination, use a cable-powered lift to enter the site, where they participate in a one-hour walking tour.
“Mollie Kathleen’ s tour operation offers a rare glimpse into Colorado mining history, and, as a deep shaft tour operation is both rare, and, particularly vulnerable to ventilation and other issues. Our tour level is an underground museum of Colorado mining history, mechanics and tools,” according to state documents about the mine obtained by CPR.
What caused Colorado gold mine incident?
Police are providing more details about what led a group of visitors to become trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine on Thursday.
An elevator taking tourists into the mine suffered a mechanical issue, according to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office.
Eleven people, including two children, were rescued via a trolley car, the office told the KOAA news station, while one person died in the original incident.
State engineers will inspect the elevator for safety before it’s put back in use.
Colorado Springs Fire Department assisting with mine rescue
The Colorado Springs Fire Department is among the multiple local and state agencies assisting with rescuing those trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, the agency has announced.
Governor’s office weighs in on Colorado mining incident
Colorado governor Jared Polis is closely monitoring the ongoing emergency incident at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine.
Here’s what he said of the situation so far on X.
People stranded in Colorado mine
An apparent equipment malfunction has stranded a group inside of a defunct Colorado gold mine used as a tourist site.
Local officials said one person has died, 11 have been rescued, and 12 remain trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek.
We’ll be following the latest news about the incident live.
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