13 Killed in Peru Gold Mine Kidnapping Incident

Thirteen miners were found dead in a gold mine in Peru after being kidnapped by a criminal gang. The victims, working for mining company Poderosa in Pataz province, were sent to confront illegal miners but were taken hostage and killed after receiving threats for days. In recent years, illegal mining and violent attacks against mining operations have surged. Poderosa criticized local authorities for failing to control the escalating violence and illegal mining, which has forced them to abandon operations. Peru, one of the world’s top gold producers, faces ongoing struggles with organized crime controlling mining regions.