A Ray of Hope in the Santa Fe Mine
El Rosario, Sinaloa. After more than 312 hours of uninterrupted work, rescue teams managed to locate Francisco Zapata Nájera, 42 years old, alive in the Santa Fe mine. The discovery, confirmed by the Unified Command at 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, marks a milestone in the complex operation that has kept the community on edge since last March 25.
Rescue Operation and Coordination
The rescue was the result of coordination between state and federal authorities, the Navy Secretariat, the Sedena, the National Guard, and specialized brigades from several states. To ensure Zapata Nájera’s safety, teams are working on draining water and mud from the galleries, preventing the miner from exerting himself in ways that could compromise his health. He is expected to be transferred to the general hospital in Mazatlán in a Navy Black Hawk helicopter.
Context of the Tragedy and Current Situation
The accident occurred when a spill of mining waste flooded the galleries where 28 people were working. Although 24 managed to escape, four were trapped. On March 30, José Alejandro Cástulo Colín, 44 years old, was the first miner rescued alive. At this moment, two workers remain trapped: Abraham Aguilera and Leandro Veltrán. Their families receive constant updates from the National Civil Protection Coordination, supervised by Laura Velázquez Alzúa.
Hope and Collective Effort
Work continues 24 hours a day, with reinforced safety measures such as barricades and structural supports to contain possible landslides. The community, united in prayer and solidarity, sees in Francisco’s rescue a testament to hope and the power of teamwork. Each procedure carried out brings rescuers closer to the ultimate goal: saving lives and restoring peace to the affected families.
Original source: www.tusbuenasnoticias.com (published on April 8, 2026)
Photo: Frederick Shaw on Unsplash
