In an extraordinary rescue that has captured national attention, a Mexican miner has been pulled alive from a flooded underground tunnel nearly two weeks after he became trapped following a mining disaster in northern Mexico.
Francisco Zapata Nájera, 42, was found 300 metres (985 feet) below ground in a gold mine in Sinaloa state, where he had been stranded since an embankment collapse on 25 March triggered severe flooding inside the mine.
The incident occurred when a tailings dam — a structure used to store mining waste — burst, trapping four workers underground. While 21 of the 25 miners inside managed to escape, the remaining four faced a desperate fight for survival. One miner was rescued after five days, another was later confirmed dead, and a fourth remains missing as search operations continue.
Zapata’s survival is being described as nothing short of remarkable. After more than 300 hours of searching, specialised Mexican army divers finally located him deep inside the mine, guided by a faint but persistent signal — the blinking light of his torch.
More Read
Video footage released after the rescue shows Zapata standing in waist-deep water as divers approach him. “How are you, how are you?” they call out. Upon confirming their identity, the rescuers tell him, “Your torchlight helped us a lot. It guided us.”
Despite the harrowing conditions, Zapata remained resolute. “I didn’t lose faith, I didn’t lose faith,” he told the team.
However, the rescue was far from over. Due to the high water levels in the tunnel, divers were initially unable to extract him. Instead, they supplied him with water, cans of tuna, and energy bars, promising to return.
More Read
Rescue teams then worked tirelessly for another 20 hours, using pumps to reduce the flooding and create a safe passage. Once conditions improved, Zapata was finally brought to the surface on Wednesday.
Wrapped in a thermal blanket and transported on an electric cart, he emerged from the mine to applause and relief. A helicopter swiftly airlifted him to a nearby hospital, where he was reunited with his family.
Doctors described him as frail but stable, adding that he is receiving the necessary medical care after his prolonged ordeal.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised both the rescuers and Zapata’s resilience, calling the operation an “astounding rescue.” She highlighted his faith and determination as key to his survival under such extreme conditions.
As authorities continue the search for the remaining missing miner, Zapata’s story stands as a powerful testament to human endurance, hope, and the life-saving impact of relentless rescue efforts.
