President Guillermo Lasso plans to visit the canton this afternoon.
The Ecuadorian Mining Chamber (CME) issued a statement on Thursday after the sinkhole that caused the collapse of two buildings and affected three streets in the center of Zaruma, canton of El Oro.
The union considered that “what happened shows dire consequences of illegal mining, a criminal activity that takes place outside the law, leaving aside people, the environment or nature.”
The CME reiterated its concern to see that the illegal extraction of minerals is intensifying more and more in the country.
“We urge the authorities to identify, prosecute and punish those behind this unfortunate event,” the CME said in a statement.
It should be noted that minerals are essential for humans, but they must be obtained legally, “respecting regulations and following standards of environmental and social responsibility,” said that entity.
Two houses destroyed, another at risk and three streets affected by the sinking in Zaruma, in El Oro. There are 300 people evacuated
The emergency in Zaruma was reported Thursday night, when neighbors warned of a sinkhole. After several minutes, two houses collapsed. Inhabitants left their homes scared and took out their belongings.
The Chamber of Mining expressed solidarity with the people affected by the collapse of a section of the urban area.
According to authorities and residents of the sector, these effects are the result of illegal mining that has affected the soil.
As morning fell, the magnitude of the problem could be seen: a huge hole that swallowed up homes and threatens others. An all-terrain car was on the verge of falling into the sinkhole. But you can also see the mining galleries in the subsoil.
President Guillermo Lasso spoke out about the sinking in Zaruma
President Guillermo Lasso is scheduled to visit the site this afternoon after an activity in Guayaquil.
Last night, the president ordered the National Service for Risk and Emergency Management of Ecuador (SNGRE) to coordinate actions with the Autonomous Decentralized Government (GAD), as well as with other institutions, to assist affected families. (I)
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