One dead and 12 trapped 1,000ft underground in former Colorado gold mine

11 October 2024, 02:51 | Updated: 11 October 2024, 03:27

Entrance to the Mollie Kathleen Mine
Entrance to the Mollie Kathleen Mine. Picture: Getty

By Emma Soteriou

One person is dead and 12 are trapped 1,000ft underground after a lift malfunctioned at a former Colorado gold mine.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A rescue effort is under way for the visitors who remain stuck underground at the site, Governor Jared Polis' office said.

People became trapped due to an equipment malfunction at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine.

An issue with the lift system created "severe danger" for those aboard. They were around 500ft into the mine at the time.

Rescue teams were able to pull 11 people to safety who were stuck at the halfway point. A further 12 remain trapped.

Those at the bottom of the mine have access to blankets, chairs and water, and are communicating with rescue teams, authorities said.

At least four have suffered minor injuries, including back and neck pain, and are being treated at the scene.

Read more: Biden tells Trump to 'get a life' in Hurricane Milton row as death toll continues to rise following storm

Read more: ‘It’s not over yet’ Florida warned after Hurricane Milton kills four leaving trail of floods, blackouts and tornadoes

Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal said: "I have the utmost confidence in the work my crews are doing and I hope our friends in Teller County feel the passion and heart they have to perform these rescues and to keep them safe.

"We're here to help our neighbours when they need us."

The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine opened in the 1800s and was closed in the 1960s, but still operates tours.

The website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 100 stories into the Earth. It says visitors can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.

Mr Polis said in a statement that the state was sending resources for the rescue effort.

"We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation," said Mr Polis.

Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 people located south west of Colorado Springs.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Markets have been plunged into turmoil by Trump's tariffs

'Economic nuclear winter' ahead if US doesn't axe tariffs, Trump-backing billionaire warns as markets plunge again

Hollywood icon Mickey Rourke and Tory MP Michael Fabricant to join all-star Celebrity Big Brother line-up

Hollywood icon Mickey Rourke and Tory MP Michael Fabricant to join all-star Celebrity Big Brother line-up

Keiron Charles

Two teenage boys charged with murder after 17-year-old boy stabbed to death in west London

John's loveable character Charlie kicked off a whirlwind romance with Rovers Return landlady Bet Gilroy (played by Julie Goodyear)

Coronation Street star's sudden death at 72 - as family pay tribute to 'gentleman' actor

LBC News launches new weekday schedule with new presenter line-up

LBC News launches new weekday schedule with new presenter line-up

Heidi Alexander has said that smoking crack cocaine on the Tube is 'unacceptable'

'Smoking crack cocaine on the Tube is unacceptable', Transport Secretary says as shocking images surface

David Beckham & LA Galaxy Visits Shanghai

David Beckham's former bodyguard Craig Ainsworth found dead in Spain following hunt for war veteran

FTSE 100 dropped again on opening

FTSE plummets 6% after Trump refuses to back down on tariffs, with global markets in turmoil

Exclusive
Google search for UK jobs.

Job postings down nearly a quarter amid fears over Employer National Insurance rise

A construction worker in the new Silvertown Tunnel in east London. The first new road crossing east of London's Tower Bridge in 33 years opens on Monday.

Long-awaited Silvertown Tunnel opens to drivers in London

Exclusive
Starmer To Abolish NHS England In Bid To Reform National Health Service

Patients suffering in the back of ambulance soars under Labour - with 1,000 per week are put in potentially serious harm

National Gallery to let one person sleep overnight in ‘first’ as section reopens

National Gallery to allow individual sleepovers marking historic ‘first’ ahead of 200th anniversary

File photo dated 15/08/14

NHS staff harassed by members of public filming them with phones and threatening to post footage online

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Hosts Mia Mottley, Prime Minister Of Barbados

Starmer to relax rules over electric car sales as government pledges 'bold action' in wake of Trump tariffs

A police cordon in Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham

Two arrests made after man in 50s shot dead in broad daylight in County Durham

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood takes aim at fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges