In a tragic incident, twelve people lost their lives due to asphyxiation while working in a gold mine in the Venezuelan state of Bolívar. The incident occurred at the “Taseikana” mine, located in the Roscio municipality, on Saturday.

The miners were reportedly underground without the proper ventilation necessary to circulate oxygen. As a result, they began to suffocate and lose consciousness. Despite the efforts of their colleagues, they could not be saved, and twelve lives were lost.

The state governor, Justo Noguera, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and declared three days of mourning in the state. He also ordered an investigation into the incident, stating that those responsible must be held accountable.

The “Taseikana” mine has a history of irregularities, and the government had previously ordered it to cease operations. However, the owner of the mine allegedly continued to operate clandestinely, putting the lives of workers at risk.

Lamentably, incidents of this nature are not uncommon in Venezuela, where safety regulations are often lax or ignored. In the past, several mining accidents have resulted in the loss of life. Unfortunately, the miners, who are often from poor backgrounds, are left with no choice but to put themselves at risk for a meagre wage.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in the mining industry. The government must take decisive action to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased await justice and compensation for their tragic loss.