BUTUAN CITY – The search and rescue operation led by the Search and Rescue Agusan del Sur (SARAS) team, in collaboration with the local government of Rosario, continues today for four miners who tragically lost their lives after being trapped in a collapsed tunnel.
According to initial reports from local residents, the incident occurred yesterday, July 3, in the mountainous area of Mahunok, within Barangay Bayugan 3 in Rosario, Agusan del Sur. The names of the victims identified so far include two miners with the last name Balagno, one Bustamante, and Dior Tabugon.
Local miners from the area suspect that the collapse was caused by a violent explosion or a cave-in inside the condemned mining tunnel. They also reported the release of toxic gases after the explosion, which could have led to the miners’ deaths.
Other miners reiterated that the water which infiltrated the tunnel was likely the cause of the deaths of four miners who were trapped inside. The rising water levels following the explosion created a dangerous situation, preventing the miners from escaping.
The local Barangay and Municipal Council have partnered with a nearby mining company to assist in retrieving the victims using specialized equipment. Authorities estimate that the bodies of the four miners, trapped and submerged in water, may not be recovered until tomorrow afternoon, June 5.
In an exclusive interview, Ronaldo Torreblanca, a miner familiar with the site, explained that the water is draining slowly, and it is expected to subside by tomorrow afternoon, allowing the recovery operation to proceed.
Torreblanca further revealed that the tunnel is estimated to be between 100 to 300 meters deep, and that around 26 miners were inside at the time of the explosion. Fortunately, some of them were able to escape after a fellow miner suggested they leave to get food.
At present, authorities are still using water pumps to drain the remaining water from the tunnel. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to bring the bodies of the victims to the surface, and their families remain hopeful for a resolution.
Rescue operations are expected to intensify as the teams make progress in draining the water and securing the area. Meanwhile, the local mining community continues to monitor the situation closely, offering assistance to the families of the trapped miners.
