Satellite image of the aftermath of the 16 March 2025 tailings landslide at Andavilque in Bolivia. Image copyright Planet, used with permission.
Satellite image of the aftermath of the 16 March 2025 tailings landslide at Andavilque in Bolivia. Image copyright Planet, used with permission.
The Deputy Minister of Civil Defense, Juan Carlos Calvimontes, reported this Tuesday that a thorough assessment is being conducted to identify the causes of the collapse of the "El Kenko" lagoon, which triggered a mudslide in Andavilque, in the municipality of Llallagua in the department of Potosí.

"A thorough assessment is being conducted to determine the causes that triggered this phenomenon (...). We have no knowledge of who managed this lagoon. What does catch our attention is the color of the mud that has fallen, and that, apparently, could be some kind of mining deposit," the official said in an interview with Cadena A.

At approximately 7:30 a.m. last Sunday, the El Kenko lagoon overflowed and caused a mudslide in the community of Andavilque, burying homes and animals in lead-colored mud, causing great concern among authorities.



The disaster affected more than 70% of homes, 47 of which are completely unusable, and left two people dead.

"The rain continues to fall in the area; however, we are awaiting the ongoing assessment.

Technicians from the Ministry of Mining, the Ministry of Environment and Water, the State Housing Agency, and, of course, our teams from the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense have been deployed to the site," Calvimontes stated.

According to preliminary reports, the disaster was caused by rain, but other factors are being investigated.