At least 17 miners are believed to be trapped at a mine in northwestern Peru, a region that has recently experienced an increase in violence.

Rescuers in northern Peru have been searching for trapped miners at a small gold mine after it was allegedly attacked by suspected illegal miners, according to the local mayor.

Segundo Armas, the mayor of the Pataz district in the northwestern region of La Libertad, stated on Monday that up to 17 miners could be trapped at the mine. However, Armas was unable to confirm the exact number of miners who had managed to escape.

The mine collapsed after it was allegedly attacked on Sunday by what Armas described as "possible rival miners." The mayor noted that the area is difficult to access, making it challenging to confirm the number of those trapped. Additionally, there is no cellular service in the area.

La Libertad is one of the highest gold-producing regions in Peru, with official reports indicating that at least 40% of the supply comes from artisanal or informal miners. The region has been prone to attacks like the one described by the mayor, as illegal mining and organized crime contribute significantly to insecurity in the area.

In November of the previous year, an attack at a mine in Pataz resulted in four deaths and one injury, underscoring the ongoing violence in the region.