Six trapped in Colombia mine after explosion

Six miners remain trapped in a Colombian mine after an explosion, authorities reported Friday. The incident occurred in the rural municipality of Cucunubá, Cundinamarca, a region known for its numerous artisanal coal mines, some of which operate with expired permits.

The explosion, attributed to a buildup of methane gas, occurred in the central Colombian mining area. While six workers were trapped, a seventh managed to escape the affected mine on their own, according to Jorge Emilio Rey, the governor of Cundinamarca. Rescue teams from the National Mining Agency have been mobilized and are actively engaged in search and rescue operations.

Rescuers have successfully accessed one of the upper levels of the mine, which was blocked by debris from the blast. The operation is ongoing, with efforts focused on reaching the remaining trapped miners. Explosions due to gas accumulation are a known hazard in the area's small, often informal, mining operations.