Rescue effort at collapsed mine in Colombia continues as 13 still missing, feared dead

BOGOTA, Colombia – Rescue workers aren't giving up hope of finding some 13 miners still missing after an illegal gold mine collapsed in southwest Colombia.

Eduardo Grijalba is an engineer and mayor of the rural town of Santander de Quilichao where the tragedy took place Wednesday night.

The search effort resumed at dawn Friday even though he said it's practically impossible to have survived so long trapped beneath 20 meters of heavy debris.

The bodies of three dead miners were pulled from the ruble on Thursday.

Mining accidents are common in Colombia, especially at wildcat mines in poverty-stricken areas dominated by criminal gangs.

Less than a week ago, four people were killed inhaling noxious gases following an explosion at a mine in Antioquia province.