ISLAMABAD: Following a coal mine explosion in central Colombia, at least 11 people died and ten more remained trapped, the governor of Cundinamarca department said Wednesday.
The incident in Sutatausa municipality occurred due to a collection of gases that exploded after a worker’s instrument caused a spark, Governor Nicolas Garcia told Blu Radio.
The explosion took place late Tuesday night at a series of interlinked legal mines, according to AFP.
Rescue workers and firefighters could be seen at the entrances to the mines in images from local media, with a number of relatives awaiting information about their loved ones.
The miners were trapped around 900 meters underground, making access difficult for the little over 100 rescuers working on the search, Garcia said.
Every passing minute means less oxygen, he said.
Colombia’s main exports are oil and coal
Oil and coal are Colombia’s main exports, where mining accidents are frequent.
In August 2022, 9 miners were rescued from an illegal coal mine that had collapsed in central Cundinamarca department.
In 2021, the Latin American country recorded 148 deaths in mining incidents.
