71 trapped miners in Benguet rescued

71 small-scale miners who were trapped in a private mine site in Itogon, Benguet over the weekend have been rescued.

The miners were trapped after a private mine tunnel in Barangay Dalicno reportedly collapsed. 

Benguet Corporation (BC) Administration Department Head Roger Lwilao says, residents had informed them that some miners, who are members of Dalicno Miners Association, were trapped in a private tunnel adjacent to the company’s underground mining area.

The firm immediately deployed rescue teams.

Rescuers were able to reach the trapped miners after about 4 to 5 hours of manual digging.

The victims were brought to Balatoc clinic for medical examinations.