Rescues underway after ‘equipment malfunction’ at gold mine attraction in southern Colorado

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo — Multiple people are being rescued from underground after an “equipment malfunction” at a gold mine attraction in southern Colorado, the Colorado Springs Fire Department said. 

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office told 9NEWS partners KRDO that they are responding to a “serious incident” at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek. It’s unclear exactly what happened, but authorities said there was an “equipment malfunction” that left people stuck underground. They said the mine did not collapse.

CSFD said 10 to 11 people have been rescued from underground. Another dozen people still need to be rescued, CSFD said around 3 p.m. It’s unclear whether anyone has been injured.

> The sheriff’s office said they will provide an update on the situation at 4:30 p.m. 9NEWS will stream the media briefing live in the video player above.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ office said the governor has spoken with local authorities in Teller County and is directing state resources to help with rescue efforts. 

“The state has personnel on site and more en route to assess the situation and provide on-the-ground support to local authorities,” the governor’s office said in a statement. “Specifically, the state has a Field Manager from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on the scene, the State Emergency Operations Center is activated and supporting resource requests, a mine rescue team from the Department of Natural Resources is en route, and the Department of Labor and Employment has a conveyances inspector en route.”

The attraction’s website says “the Mollie Kathleen is an authentic 1890’s gold mine” and visitors can “descend 1,000 feet underground.”

This is a developing situation. This article will be updated as information is confirmed.