Disaster at defunct Colorado gold mine leaves more than 10 people trapped 1,000 feet underground

Over ten people are trapped 1,000 feet inside a gold mine after an equipment malfunction in Colorado. 

According to Denver7, eleven people have already been rescued from inside the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, east of Cripple Creek. 

The Colorado Springs Fire Department are on the scene having been called to the area just after 1pm as well as the Teller County Sheriff's Office.

The mine, which is a tourist attraction, officially closed in the 1960s but has continued to offer tours which take people 100 stories deep into the earth. 

According to the company website the tour involves a two minute ride down into the mine where tourists can walk a quarter mile of underground terrain. 

The Teller County Sheriff's Office said: 'Just a brief update regarding the incident today at the Molly Kathleen Mine in Cripple Creek.

'This was due to an equipment malfunction. The mine did not collapse.' They also said a press conference would be held at 3:30PM MDT.

According to the Mollie Kathleen website, the last day of the tours for the season was due to be this Sunday. 

Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he would be sending assistance to the scene to help in the rescue. 

In a statement, Polis said: 'I have spoken to the Teller County Sheriff and County Commissioners and will stay in touch through the course of this rescue effort. 

'The state is assisting Teller County and sending resources to rescue those inside the mine. 

'We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation.'