The 11 miners who are trapped in a gold mine in San Juan Arriba in southern Honduras since Wednesday, have still not been rescued. Reports saying that 8 miners already got out, have been denied by officials.

The mine’s entrance collapsed after 22 miners entered it. Half of them managed to get out, but the others are still being searched for.  

Deputy Environment Minister Carlos Pineda reported that the mine is illegal and had been ordered closed months ago. Over 300 hundred Red Cross volunteers, firefighters and other helpers are digging by hand because the mine is unstable.

"An inspection proved that these are not tunnels with wood supports and lighting, it's just a hole in the ground," he said.

Rescuers are in contact with three of the men and are close to freeing them. It is not clear if the remaining 8 miners are still alive.

Over 50 small gold mines can be found in the area. Like this one many of them do not meet the safety requirements.