In 2006, miners supported the search and rescue work of their colleagues (Cuartoscuro)

17 years after the accident that claimed the lives of 65 miners Concho Pasta —Coahuila— and amid demands from the families of the victims, the federal government announced that the second stage of the rescue of the bodies will begin in March.

It was February 19 2006 that an explosion occurred in the mining complex, presumably due to the accumulation of gas, which caused the collapse of a series of tunnels. Of the total number of victims, the bodies of 63 miners remain under the rubble.

That is why, in accordance with the Global Plan of Reparation and Justice of Pasta de Conchos, launched by the current President of the Republic, Andrés Manuel Manuel Lopez Obrador, Since the beginning of his government, the work of search and rescue of the bodies will begin, after the first stage launched a year ago.

STPS has announced that the second stage of the rescue will begin in March (Twitter@martibatres)
STPS has announced that the second stage of the rescue will begin in March (Twitter@martibatres)

“We clearly reiterate that the rescue of the 63 miners’ bodies, an operation led by the Federal Electricity Commission, will enter into its second stage from March. The commitment to move forward in the recovery of the remains is firm,” announced the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) in a press release.

In this sense, the federal government agency announced that the Ministry of the Interior (Segob) completed the payment of financial compensation to all affected family units, while the National Housing Commission handed over houses.

Likewise, it was announced that the Secretary of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (Sedatu) has intervened in the municipality of Sabinas, in order to improve the environment of said mining community.

Infographic created with data from the report "red coal" of the Pasta de Conchos organization
Infographic made with data from the “Carbón Rojo” report of the Pasta de Conchos Organization

On the other hand, it was reported that commemorative plaques will be placed “in reference to the tragedy that occurred so as not to forget what happened and as a symbol of the struggle of the families”. In addition, reference was made to the current building a monument in honor of deceased workers.

Meanwhile, as part of the anniversary of the tragedy, families affected by the incident gathered at the anti-monument on Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, where they demanded authorities comply rescuing the bodies of their loved ones.

During a ceremony held around noon, Bishop Raúl Vera López delivered a few words, where he said, “We are not going to give up on the demand for justice because we are not complicit with those who harm to minors and their families.

The anti-monument dedicated to the victims of the mining accident in Pasta de Conchos (ROGELIO MORALES / CUARTOSCURO.COM)
The anti-monument dedicated to the victims of the mining accident in Pasta de Conchos (ROGELIO MORALES / CUARTOSCURO.COM)

In turn, he published some information about the organization Concho pasta family, where he pointed out that since 2016 they are 214 deceased minors, including 21 are under the current federal administration (including those of the mines Teenager and Rancherias).

In protest, the collective went to the offices of the Federal Electricity Commission in Paseo de la Reforma, where they placed 21 wayside crosses with the names of the miners killed under the AMLO government. And it is that it is the CFE that grants contracts for the purchase of coal to mining companies that do not offer the best working conditions, it was affirmed in the demonstration.

On the other hand, a few days ago, the widows of the victims blocked the construction of the memorial, believing that the federal government gives more priority to said monument than to the search for the bodies.

“We don’t want them telling us later ‘why are they coming if they already have their memorial’, and the ransom where it’s going to be. We want an answer about the rescue,” Rosa Mejía said in an interview For The universal.

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