Emergency crews resorting to picks and shovels in desperate race to recover bodies of five miners trapped underground at El Callao

VHeadline Venezuela News reports: Emergency crews have been resorting to picks and shovels in a desperate race against time to recover the bodies of five miners trapped underground at El Callao after a tunnel fell in on them at the clandestine "Planta de Agua" workings close to CVG-Minerven. Reports say the men, possibly 'garimpieros' (illegal miners), had burrowed a several meters deep hole without any thought for the fatal consequences. Clandestine operations to dig for gold are endemic throughout the area of southern Bolivar State in the absence of industrial mining operations and casualty statistics are alarming despite law enforcement efforts to control the situation which is exacerbated by incredible poverty and lack of regular employment.