A coal mine explosion in central Colombia has killed nine workers and injured six others, authorities said, in an incident that comes weeks after safety concerns were raised about dangerous gas accumulations at the site.
The blast occurred on Monday at the La Ciscuda mine in Sutatausa, a municipality in Cundinamarca province about 72 kilometers north of the capital, Bogota.
Officials said the mine was legally operated by Carbonera Los Pinos, though the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Authorities indicated that a buildup of gases, including methane, was the likely cause of the explosion.
Colombia’s National Mining Agency (ANM) said it had previously identified hazardous conditions during a site inspection conducted on April 9.
During that visit, inspectors detected the presence of gases and recommended that the mine strengthen its safety measures to mitigate potential risks.
“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 agency noted that such conditions can create a highly volatile environment if not properly managed.
Local authorities reported that the miners were working at depths of at least 600 meters underground when the explosion occurred.
Initial reports indicated that multiple workers were trapped, though some managed to escape in the immediate aftermath.
Rescue teams were dispatched to the site, with operations temporarily dependent on assessments of gas levels inside the mine to ensure safe entry.
Six workers were ultimately rescued alive and transported to a regional hospital for treatment.
Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey expressed condolences to the victims’ families, stating that authorities were coordinating emergency response efforts.
Mining accidents remain a recurring issue in Colombia, particularly in operations where ventilation and safety measures are insufficient, though incidents can also occur in legally operating mines.