A devastating mine collapse in El Callao, Venezuela, has resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals, authorities confirmed on Monday. The incident, triggered by heavy rainfall in the southeast region, occurred in three separate shafts of the Cuatro Esquinas de Caratal gold mine, located approximately 850 kilometers (528 miles) southeast of Caracas. Brig. Gen. Gregory González Acevedo, head of the Operational Zones for Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis in Bolívar state, has been appointed to lead the recovery operations. Rescue efforts commenced with the pumping out of water from the flooded shafts to lower water levels, followed by an assessment of potential rescue strategies for those still trapped. The death toll was corroborated by testimonies from fellow miners and local firefighters, who attributed the collapse to flooding in the vertical mines, commonly referred to as ravines. El Callao, a town with a population of around 30,000, heavily relies on gold mining for its livelihood, with most residents directly or indirectly involved in the industry. Venezuela, rich in copper, diamonds, and other precious metals, frequently grapples with unsafe working conditions in its poorly regulated mining sector.