One person dead and multiple tourists trapped underground after failure in Colorado mine

One person died and 23 others had to be rescued after bcoming 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. No other information was given about the person who died.Four others who were rescued had to be treated for minor injuries, according to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell.

At around 12 midday on Thurday, a mechanical issue took place 500ft deep in the mine during what was supposed to be a two-minute journey creating a severe danger for riders on board the elevator, officials said.

When officials arrived at the scene, they immediately started working to move the elevator from its position, rescuing the 11 people on board at that time. However, a further dozen still remained underground at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, a tourist mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado.

Officials hope to get the remaining people out by fixing and using the elevator. If that is not possible, authorities said they have other plans in case the equipment is inoperable.

“What I want to make sure before we bring up an elevator with people on it is that it’s safe,” Mikesell said, adding he’s been able to communicate with the group. “What I know right now is that they are safe at that 1,000-foot level.”

He added that the tourists “honestly don’t know that we’ve had an issue other than there’s a problem with the elevator.” He stressed officials want to keep fear levels down among the group to avoid any panic.

Mikesell said he’s not sure when officials will be able to get all the visitors out as it remains unclear what caused the elevator system to malfunction.

He’s hopeful that the rescue operation will be concluded on Thursday evening and told reporters that the last time a similar situation occurred was in 1986.

The 1890’s gold mine is no longer operational but offers tours to visitors which are advertised as an opportunity to experience the “Old West.”

The mine runs 1,000 feet deep and has a temperature of 50 degrees. There are no restrooms underground and visitors are given hard hats.

The people trapped have water, chairs and blankets.

In a statement posted to X, Governor Jared Polis said he had spoken with Teller County Commissioners and local law enforcement and is “closely monitoring the situation.”

A field manager with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as well as other law enforcement personnel, are on the scene.

“We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation,” Polis concluded.

Tours of the mine are expected to last about an hour and cost $30 for adults. A portion of the mine is very close together, a warning about claustrophobia states. The business is family-owned and has been operating for about 50 years.

Mikesell described the operators as “good folks.”

The mine is supposed to undergo daily inspections. Mikesell said he could not comment on what the inspection results were on the morning of the incident.

This is a developing story...