LIMA, Dec 3 (NNN-EFE) — At least nine people were killed and 15 were injured on Saturday after armed assailants attacked the Poderosa mine in north Peru’s La Libertad Department, the Interior Ministry has confirmed.
The incident occurred at about 1 a.m. local time.
A group of armed criminals raided the facilities of the mine, violently attacking security guards and taking four hostages, the ministry said in a statement, adding that nine people were killed and 15 others injured.
Police have “taken control of the situation”, seven people have been arrested and weapons seized, the ministry said in a statement, adding it had ordered special forces to the area to support local police.
The attackers entered the mine shaft, using explosive charges, “violently confronting internal security personnel from the company and taking four people hostage”, the ministry said.
Saturday’s attack comes a year after the impeachment and arrest of leftist former president Pedro Castillo, which sparked months of deadly protests snarled activity at mines in the Andean country.
Peru is the world’s second-largest producer of copper, and an important silver and gold producer.
The two mines Poderosa operates in the area – Maranon and Santa Maria, located 23km south of Maranon – produce a combined 1000 metric tonnes of minerals a day. — NNN-EFE
