In a devastating incident, an illegal Venezuela gold mine in La Paragua collapsed, leading to fears of numerous casualties, according to the town's mayor, Yorgi Arciniega.

The tragedy has prompted conflicting reports on the scale of the disaster due to the region's remote location in the southeastern Bolivar state, according to CNN.

Bolivar, a forested region, has faced challenges due to illegal mining, particularly for gold.

Illegal mining, often controlled by criminal groups, has expanded, extending to Canaima National Park, a pristine area on the Venezuela-Brazil border.

Relief teams and rescue workers have been mobilized to Bulla Loca, the site of the collapsed Venezuela gold mine, as authorities strive to assess the situation and provide accurate information.

The region, known for illegal mining activities, has seen a surge in informal mining controlled by criminal groups, extending even to the pristine Canaima National Park on the Venezuela-Brazil border.

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Conflicting Reports on Casualties and Pleas for Assistance

Mayor Arciniega estimates that at least 30 people have lost their lives, with around 100 more trapped beneath the debris.

However, national officials have not confirmed this toll, and conflicting reports suggest a range of figures, CBS News noted.

A recent accident in the Gran Sabana district just a few months ago resulted in at least 12 deaths, emphasizing the dangers associated with illegal mining in the region.

Egar Colina, a security official in the Bolivar state government, urges caution, and state officials are working to update the official death toll as the rescue efforts continue.

Relatives of the Venezuela gold mine workers anxiously await news in La Paragua, urging the government to send aircraft to the remote location for rescue and recovery operations, per the Daily Mail.

The lack of immediate support raises concerns about the potential decomposition of bodies due to the challenging environmental conditions.

The desperate situation at the collapsed Venezuela gold mine is described by survivor Carlos Marcano, 71, who emphasizes the terrifying experience.

The harsh conditions of illegal mining, operating outside or on the fringes of the law, provide lucrative but perilous jobs for many Venezuelans.

Illegal Mining Impact on Environment and Communities

Mining in the southern states of Venezuela has led to deforestation, water pollution, and the extensive use of mercury in artisanal mining, contributing to mercury poisoning, Human Rights Watch reports.

Miners, some as young as 10, endure grueling 12-hour shifts without proper protective gear.

Indigenous communities face displacement, and a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights the link between illegal gold trafficking, armed conflict, and money laundering by criminal networks.

The OECD emphasizes the need for countries to establish safeguards to prevent Venezuelan gold associated with human rights abuses and environmental harm from entering their territories.

Venezuela gold mine companies are called upon to ensure they avoid complicity in these activities and take responsibility to prevent contributing to abuses in the pursuit of the precious metal.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Gold mine collapses in Venezuela, dozens feared dead - From Associated Press