LIMA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- All of the 27 miners trapped by a fire in a gold mine in southern Peru over the weekend have died of carbon monoxide poisoning, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Autopsies on the victims showed they died from inhaling the poisonous gas after the fire broke out on Saturday in Esperanza I mine of the Yanaquihua mining company in the province of Condesuyos, said the public prosecutor's office of the department of Arequipa.
The prosecutor's office said it will coordinate with the National Police's homicide division to collect statements from the representatives of the contracting company and Yanaquihua.
The fire was reportedly sparked by a short circuit. Flames as high as 10 meters swept through wooden pit props.
Energy and Mines Minister Oscar Vera arrived in Arequipa Monday night to assess the situation and ensure Yanaquihua was complying with regulations.
"Small-scale mining activities are under the jurisdiction of the regional government and we must verify that they are being undertaken in keeping with the law," said the minister. ■
