PAMPAYLIMA, AREQUIPA, PERU – JULY 16, 2026 Tragic accident in the Peruvian mining area of Secocha claimed the life of a worker who fell from a height exceeding 165 feet (50 meters) while being transported between mountain slopes. The accident occurred in the Pampaylima sector, located in the Secocha mining area in the Mariano Nicolás Valcárcel district, Camaná province, Arequipa region.
According to preliminary information, the man was traveling to work using a so-called andarivel or winch – a cable transport system used in the area to move between individual slopes, where regular roads are often unavailable due to the difficult terrain.
During the ride, however, the device suffered a technical failure. The miner was left hanging from the structure and spent several minutes trying to hold on using only the strength of his arms. Eventually, his grip gave out, and the man fell onto the rocky terrain beneath the cable line.
The incident was witnessed by other workers and nearby residents, who immediately attempted to provide assistance. However, due to the severity of his injuries, the man died at the scene. His body was later transported to the morgue in Camaná for an autopsy.
Following the tragedy, authorities launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the equipment failure and examine safety conditions at the mining site. The case also highlighted the risks of working in remote mining areas, where workers often rely on improvised transport systems to move through challenging mountainous terrain.
