At least 27 workers killed in Peruvian gold mine fire

Relatives of trapped miners wait outside the SERMIGOLD mine in Arequipa, Peru (Fernando Mojito/AP)

A fire in a gold mine in southern Peru has killed at least 27 workers, according to the mining company.

The Yanaquihua mining company said the victims were working an overnight shift for a contractor at the Sermigold mine in the Arequipa region. A statement from the company said 175 workers had been rescued.