Colombia said at least nine workers were dead following a coal mine
explosion in the mining town of Sutatausa, about 72 kilometers north of Bogota.
An explosion inside a coal mine in central Colombia has left nine workers dead, according to the country’s mining authority.
The incident occurred on Monday at the legally operated La Ciscuda mine in the municipality of Sutatausa in Cundinamarca, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Bogota.
Six miners were reported to have been rescued.
Colombia says 9 miners dead after explosion
Colombia said at least nine workers were dead following a coal mine explosion in the mining town of Sutatausa, about 72 kilometers north of Bogota.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHNL
Firefighters inspecting the site of an explosion at a coal mine in Sutatausa, Cundinamarca
Rescue mission underwayImage: Cundinamarca Fire Department/AFP
Advertisement
An explosion inside a coal mine in central Colombia has left nine workers dead, according to the country’s mining authority.
The incident occurred on Monday at the legally operated La Ciscuda mine in the municipality of Sutatausa in Cundinamarca, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Bogota.
Six miners were reported to have been rescued.
Colombia mine was asked to shore up safety measures
The National Mining Agency (ANM) said a buildup of gases was the likely cause of the blast. It added that during a site visit on April 9, the agency had identified the presence of gases — including methane — which it warned could become dangerous.
The ANM said it recommended that the mine strengthen its safety measures.
“As the ANM has warned during its inspection visits, coal deposits can present accumulations of gases such as methane, as well as concentrations of coal dust,” the agency said in a statement.
There was no immediate response from Carbonera Los Pinos, the company that operates the mine.
Rescue efforts
The six survivors from the explosion were taken to a regional hospital, where they were receiving treatment.
Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey shared photos of ambulances stationed at the mine’s entrance as rescue operations were underway.
Translate This Article
