9 Die, 6 Rescued in Colombia Coal Mine Blast

Nine miners died and six others were rescued following a gas explosion at a legally operated coal mine in Sutatausa municipality, central Colombia, on Monday. The incident occurred at the La Ciscuda mine, run by Carbonera Los Pinos and located about 72 kilometers north of Bogota in Cundinamarca province, where workers were operating roughly 600 meters underground.

The National Mining Agency confirmed the final death toll and stated that a buildup of gases, including methane, caused the blast. The agency had visited the site on April 9 and detected hazardous gas accumulations along with coal dust concentrations. It recommended that the mine strengthen its safety measures at the time. "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. The National Mining Agency expressed solidarity with the victims' families and noted that timely rescue efforts saved the six survivors, who were hospitalized for treatment.

Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey reported initially that 15 miners were inside the mine when the explosion happened in the afternoon,...