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Rescue operation succeeds after two-week ordeal
Francisco Zapata Nájera, 42, was pulled from a flooded tunnel in Sinaloa state on Wednesday, 14 days after a tailings dam collapse blocked his exit. Military divers located him using his torchlight as a signal.
Collapse traps workers deep underground
The accident occurred on 25 March when a waste-holding structure at a gold mine in northern Mexico gave way. Twenty-five miners were inside; 21 escaped immediately, while four remained trapped.
José Alejandro Cástulo was rescued five days later, and one miner died. Zapata's location, 300 meters below ground, remained unknown until divers detected his flashing light on Tuesday.
Dramatic footage captures miner's relief
Video from the scene shows Zapata standing in waist-deep water, telling rescuers, "I didn't lose faith." Divers confirmed his torchlight had guided them through the flooded tunnels.
"How are you, how are you?" a rescuer asked. "Your torchlight helped us a lot," another added.
Delayed extraction due to flooding
High water levels initially prevented an immediate evacuation. Rescuers provided Zapata with water, tuna, and energy bars, promising to return once pumps lowered the floodwaters.
After 20 additional hours of pumping, teams extracted him on Wednesday. Wrapped in a thermal blanket, he was transported by electric cart and helicopter to a hospital, where doctors described his condition as frail but stable.
Search ongoing for missing miner
Efforts continue to locate the fourth trapped worker, whose status remains unknown. President Claudia Sheinbaum commended the army's efforts and Zapata's resilience, calling the rescue "astounding."
