Thirteen kidnapped workers have been found dead inside a mine in northern Peru, according to a statement released on Sunday by gold mining firm Poderosa. The victims were discovered in the violence-ridden Pataz province after days of searching by police rescue teams.
Poderosa reported that the workers had been abducted by illegal miners allegedly operating with organised criminal groups. “After intense efforts, the police recovered the bodies of the 13 workers who were kidnapped by illegal miners in collusion with criminal elements,” the company said.
The region of Pataz, located around 900 kilometres (560 miles) from Lima, has been under a state of emergency due to growing violence fuelled by a gold rush. Mining is a vital part of Peru’s economy, and the country ranks among Latin America’s top gold producers.
The deceased worked for a firm contracted to Poderosa, which has become a frequent target for armed groups engaged in illegal mining operations. The company condemned the ongoing violence and criticised the limited impact of current security measures. “The spiralling violence in Pataz continues despite the state of emergency and the presence of significant police forces, who have been unable to stop the decline in security,” it said.
In response to the killings, Peru’s interior ministry announced that it has dispatched investigators from its organised crime unit. The ministry stated that officers have been authorised to use their firearms when necessary.
In Trujillo, a city west of Pataz, grieving families waited for the bodies of their loved ones to arrive at the local morgue. Among them was Abraham Dominguez, whose son Alexander was among the dead. “We want justice. This must not end here,” he said in an interview with Canal N.
Peru is currently battling a surge in extortion and violent crime, prompting the government to declare emergency measures in multiple regions.
