Deadly gas blast at Colombia coal mine kills nine workers

A coal mine explosion in Colombia’s Cundinamarca province has killed nine workers and injured six others, according to the National Mining Agency. The incident occurred on Monday at a legally operated mine in Sutatausa municipality, about 72 km north of Bogotá.

Authorities said the blast was triggered by a dangerous buildup of gases, likely methane, deep inside the underground mine where workers were operating at a depth of around 600 metres (2,000 feet).

Rescue teams managed to save six miners, while earlier reports indicated that 12 people were initially trapped underground. Emergency crews continue to assess gas levels at the site before fully resuming operations.

Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey described the explosion as “apparently due to a buildup of gases” and confirmed that rescue efforts were ongoing, with injured workers taken to nearby hospitals.

The National Mining Agency noted it had previously warned the mine operator, Carbonera Los Pinos, about hazardous gas concentrations during an inspection weeks earlier, recommending improved safety measures.

Mining accidents are relatively common in Colombia, particularly due to poor ventilation and the presence of methane in coal deposits. Illegal mining operations in the region have also raised safety concerns.

Officials expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.

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