In Colorado, twelve people were rescued from the Mollie Kathleen gold mine after they became trapped underground. The group included eleven tourists and one mine worker. Governor Jared Polis announced the update on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter.
The governor expressed relief that all twelve individuals were brought to safety after the tense underground situation required coordination among local authorities, mine operators, and emergency crews.
Officials later confirmed that one person did not survive the incident due to equipment failure during the rescue operation. The lapse in equipment performance was cited as a critical factor in the casualty, underscoring the importance of routine maintenance and robust backup systems in automated mine rescue scenarios.
The Mollie Kathleen gold mine is a popular tourist destination in the region and sits at a depth of about 300 metres. It has offered guided tours for many years, drawing visitors who are curious about Colorado’s mining heritage. There has been no similar incident since 1986, when an earlier cave-in prompted a major safety overhaul and new rescue procedures that shaped modern operations.
In 2022, five tourists visiting the United States were trapped in an elevator inside a hotel perched above an underground cave network. The elevator stalled while attempting to ascend to the surface, and the guests found themselves unable to evacuate due to health conditions that prevented climbing stairs. The following day, attempts were made to restart the system by connecting it to an external generator, but the elevator remained inoperable. The episode highlighted the vulnerabilities of vertical transport systems in tourist facilities and the need for strict safety testing and contingency plans.
Earlier reports from Novorossiysk described a knock heard from below the surface, prompting rescuers to respond. The event illustrated how unexplained underground noises can raise alarms and mobilize emergency teams to inspect potential structural or void-space hazards and ensure public safety.
The broader safety context includes ongoing reviews of emergency response times, air quality controls, and the reliability of escape routes in tourist mines. Operators across the United States and Canada increasingly update visitor briefings to include hazard awareness and clear procedures for emergencies, aiming to balance curiosity with protection. Rescues like these reinforce the need for rigorous equipment maintenance, regular drills, and strong coordination with local emergency services to keep guests safe while they explore the history of mining.