An explosion inside a legally operated coal mine in central Colombia left nine workers dead, the country’s National Mining Agency (ANM) said. The blast occurred Monday at the La Ciscuda mine in Sutatausa, Cundinamarca, about 72 kilometers (45 miles) north of Bogotá.
Six miners were rescued and taken to a regional hospital for treatment, authorities said. Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey shared images of ambulances at the mine entrance as rescue operations were underway. He earlier reported that 15 people had been inside the mine when the explosion occurred and that three had managed to escape.
The ANM said a buildup of gases — including methane — was the likely cause of the blast. During an inspection visit on April 9 the agency had detected gas accumulations and warned they could become dangerous, recommending the mine strengthen its safety measures. There was no immediate response from Carbonera Los Pinos, the company that operates the mine.
Mining accidents in Colombia frequently stem from poor ventilation in underground workings. Colombia is a major global producer and exporter of thermal coal, supplying markets in Europe and Latin America.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
