3 miners die as pit collapses in Paracale
NAGA CITY—Three small-scale miners in Barangay (village) Palanas in Paracale, Camarines Norte died when the seaside pit where they were looking for gold ores collapsed Tuesday afternoon, the Philippine National Police said on Wednesday.
In a report released Wednesday night, the PNP in Camarines Norte identified the casualties as Luis Policarpio, 33; Carlo Delos Santos, 37; and a certain Jay-Ar.
The report said retrieval operation was underway even after the three had been surfaced, implying that more miners could be trapped and feared dead.
The report said the accident occurred at about 5 p.m. after high tide caused seawater to rush in unexpectedly, collapsing the pit and trapping miners who were in guerilla operation because small-scale mining in Camarines Norte were suspended.
The mining operation involved in the accident, allegedly, was being financed by a certain Agosto Jordan, also a resident of Palanas, according to the report.
