Rescue efforts were ongoing on Friday after seven miners were trapped in an illegal gold mine in southeast Colombia.

Alex Galindo, a firefighter with the Jamundi City Fire Department, said that according to residents' accounts, 7 or 8 miners were trapped inside.

Authorities were alerted about the accident during the early hours of Friday, triggering a response from the closest fire departments, who started works during the morning.

The precarious mine shaft collapsed on Thursday when it flooded.

Aurelia Arce, aunt of one of the trapped miners, said she and the rest of the relatives have hopes that their loved ones could be rescued alive.

AP Video by Juan Diaz