The only body recovered so far at the Paquisha mine is that of a 17-year-old miner: Marco Rosilla. Five bodies are still underground. Some of those still missing were also underage, according to unconfirmed reports. 

Torrential rains, thick fog and a soft ground have made rescue and recovery efforts impossible at the Paquisha mine in the Zamorana ravine in the Nuevo Quito parish.

The governorship of the province of Zamora Chinchipe said that five Peruvians and one Ecuadorian were buried by the cave-in. The fire chief says a landslide happened 200 metres away from the site of the mine.

Authorities say there were heavy rains for days before the disaster. They also say the area is full of small scale mines, but also illegal mining.

Thirty-five police officers were involved in the search and rescue operation, as well as other emergency personnel. The search has been called off, as authorities do not expect to find anymore of the victims alive.

Six months ago miner José Antonio Chicay, 41, died under a landslide in the same ravine.

Original story