Rescue services have recovered the lifeless bodies of two miners trapped by a collapse in an anthracite mine in Vega de Rengos, Cangas del Narcea, Asturias. The accident occurred on the afternoon of Friday, November 21, 2025, one and a half kilometers from the mine entrance. A third miner initially reported missing was able to exit on his own.
The Emergency Coordination Center of the 112 received the incident alert at 16:58, reporting a terrain collapse in level two of the mine, with two miners trapped. Subsequently, a third worker was mentioned without contact, though he managed to exit on his own, according to 112 sources. The collapse occurred between levels minus two and minus three, one and a half kilometers from the entrance of the mine managed by TYC Narcea, which extracts anthracite for steelmaking and industrial uses.
Rescue teams, including SEPA firefighters in a medicalized helicopter, the Mining Rescue Brigade arriving at 18:18 in another multi-function helicopter, and Guardia Civil agents, mobilized quickly. Off-duty miners also joined the efforts. A local retired miner, who requested anonymity, described the collapse area in the mine ramp as "quite serious" if those trapped were in the middle, with possible exits above or below.
This operation, employing 50-70 people, runs under a Complementary Research Project reactivated in June 2025 after provisional suspension in April, due to the March 31 accident in the Zarréu mine (Degaña), where five miners died in an unauthorized coal extraction site. The current incident comes days after the Mining Rescue Brigade's en masse resignation over unpaid more than 9,000 extra hours, lack of generational relief, and labor agreement breaches, though it remains operational for 30 days.
Principado President Adrián Barbón suspended his agenda, including an event in Salamanca, to head to the site, joined by Vice President Gimena Llamedo, Industry Counselor Borja Sánchez, and Energy and Mining Director General Javier Cueli. Equality Minister Ana Redondo praised Barbón's priority for citizens: "We are public servants, prioritizing those who are suffering the most." Second Vice President Yolanda Díaz shared her concern on Bluesky. One of the deceased was from Villablino (León).