Three workers at a Canadian mine collapse are rescued

Rescue officials in Canada are working to free three miners who were trapped underground in northern British Columbia after the mine collapsed.

The three worked at the Red Chris mine on the territory of Tahltan Nation, 260 miles (420 kilometers) west of Fort Nelson.

“There was an accident,” British Columbia Prime Minister David Eby said Wednesday. “There are currently three miners trapped underground. As far as we know, they are not injured, in shelter.”

Mining operator Newmont Corp said in a statement that a ground area in the mine collapsed.

Newmont said the miners – two miners from British Columbia and one from Ontario were able to move to the underground sealed area, and a second collapse further prevented their movement.

The operators said their repositioned area includes a shelter station with enough food, water and ventilation to “support extended accommodation.”

“At the time of the initial incident, three business partner employees worked more than 500 meters outside the affected area and were asked to move to a designated shelter station, then fell on the ground, blocking the way of passage,” Newmont added.

Communication has been restricted since the second collapse, so the mine’s “action downfall” has been in place.

The three trapped mines are an open copper and gold mine, which was built in 2014.