At least 27 workers dead in Peru gold mine fire

Families were grieving on Monday after the fire in the mine killed 27 employees of a mining contractor working with the Yanaquihua mining company. This is the worst mining accident in Peru in decades. The fire occurred late Friday or early Saturday. The company said 175 workers were safely evacuated.

What caused the fire? Peruvian government officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but an electrical short-circuit roughly 330 feet below ground may have caused an explosion that started the fire. Officials say they will hold accountable any parties responsible.

Dig deeper: Read Onize Ohikere’s report in World Tour about Peru’s recent political spiral.