27 people killed in gold mine fire in Peru

Government officials in Peru said the cause of the gold mine fire in which 27 people have died in country's southern Arequipa region is under investigation. Some reports said preliminary investigations indicated an explosion might have been set off by a short circuit in a part of the mine about 100 meters below the surface. 

The mine company,



Yanaquihua, said 175 miners were rescued from the gold mine fire on 6th May, the worst mining accident in the country in decades. Peru is one of the world's largest gold producers, mining more than 100 tonnes a year or about 4% of the entire world's annual supply. Peru's mining sector accounts for 60% of the country's total exports.