Rescue teams in Chile have recovered the bodies of all five miners who were trapped in a tunnel collapse at the El Teniente copper mine following a magnitude‑4.2 tremor.
The death toll now stands at six workers, including one who was killed instantly by the quake on Thursday evening.
Locating the miners required clearing about 24 meters (78 feet) of collapsed tunnels in the Andesita section.
Codelco confirmed finding the first body on Saturday and discovered the remaining four during Sunday’s efforts.
The final victim, identified as Moises Pavez, was recovered by mid‑afternoon.
The mine’s general manager described the rescue work as meticulous and cautious, working meter by meter to avoid risking further collapse.
Officials had warned against raising hopes prematurely as the operation progressed.
The collapse injured nine others and occurred in an area regarded as one of El Teniente’s deepest zones.
Authorities have temporarily suspended activity in the affected mine section and evacuated approximately 3,000 workers.
Regional prosecutors have opened an investigation to determine whether the quake was natural or triggered by mining activity, and to examine potential safety violations.
Located in central Chile’s Andes region, El Teniente is the world’s largest underground copper mine, owned by state-run Codelco.
The mine spans thousands of kilometers of tunnels and is regularly monitored for geological risks associated with Chile’s active seismic zone.
A vigil was held at the mine entrance as families and colleagues mourned.
Chile’s president, Gabriel Boric, visited loved ones and pledged a full inquiry.
Experts from past mining emergencies have been involved in the rescue, underscoring both caution and grief in the community.