Raid on "Gangs" Inside a Mine in Peru: 9 Dead and 15 Injured

The Ministry of the Interior in Peru announced that nine people were killed and 15 others injured after gunmen attacked a mine belonging to the Podemos company with explosives and took hostages. The ministry stated in a statement that the police "took control of the situation," arresting seven individuals and confiscating weapons. Fernando Riatigue, director of special operations for the police in Peru, reported that the police deployed 50 soldiers in the area, doubling their current presence, and identified the group responsible for the attack. He added, "(The detainees) are part of a criminal organization called La Gota del Norte, which is involved in illegal mining, extortion, and assassinations." Podemos stated in their statement that ten of their workers sustained serious injuries while three suffered minor injuries. They noted that "these tragic events occur due to a lack of safety conditions in the area," adding that criminal organizations have contributed to a "huge growth in illegal mining."