In what they have already classified as a “miraculous rescue”, on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 6, the young José Santos Ordóñez Huete, 22, was rescued alive, who managed to survive five days trapped in the depths of a dark, cold and humid artisanal mine known as Rincón García, in the municipality of Villanueva, north of the department of Chinandega.
On November 2, Ordóñez Huete descended into the mine to carry out his work to extract mining material, but a collapse occurred inside the hole and the miner was trapped and cut off. It could not be confirmed whether he was alive, and immediately the planned and other improvised rescue mechanisms were activated.
Related news: Ortega gives permission to Chinese company to exploit land for mining in Siuna
At least 15 miners prepared for search and rescue efforts. The first signs of life came almost 48 hours after the accident, when sounds were heard inside the mine and that encouraged hopes of rescuing him.
Despite the efforts to quickly rescue the güirisero, according to publications on local information platforms, the authorities called to help such as firefighters and Army personnel did not have the necessary and appropriate equipment and tools on site for this type of rescue, which delayed rescue efforts.
Finally, on Wednesday afternoon Ordóñez Huete was extracted from the mine alive. “It’s a miracle!” exclaimed those present who witnessed the moment in which the miner was taken out of the hole and rushed to a medical center to be treated after five days in the dark and without food.
