Six miners killed in illegal coal mine explosion in Colombia

Six miners lost their lives following an explosion at an illegal coal mine in Sutatausa, central Colombia. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon, with authorities confirming the recovery of the bodies after extensive rescue efforts on Friday.

The blast, attributed to an accumulation of methane gas within the mine shaft, trapped several miners underground. The National Mining Agency reported that rescue teams successfully retrieved five bodies, with a sixth miner having been located earlier. The status of any remaining missing workers was not immediately specified.

This tragedy brings renewed attention to the perilous safety conditions prevalent in Colombia's coal mining industry. Accidents, both in legal and illegal operations, are a recurring issue, particularly in the country's central regions. The mine where the explosion occurred is identified as San Antonio 3.

Just last month, two separate explosions in Sutatausa resulted in the deaths of 13 miners, underscoring persistent concerns about the lack of effective oversight and safety controls in these operations. Investigations are underway to determine the exact causes of the accident and identify any potential responsibilities related to the mine's operation.

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We inform that the bodies of five miners who were inside the San Antonio 3 mine, in Sutatausa (Cundinamarca), have been recovered and handed over to the CTI of Ubaté. At this time, our Mining Rescue teams continue to work on the evacuation of one more worker…