Several dead after explosion in mine in Colombia

TT

Published 16.47

 

Mining accidents are common in Colombia, partly due to inadequate safety measures; in the picture, relatives are waiting for news after an accident in Santander de Quilichao, Colombia. Archive photo. Photo: Oswaldo Paez/AP/TT

Four miners were found dead in a mine shaft in Colombia after an explosion in a coal mine.

The explosion occurred on Saturday in the Las Quintas mine near the town of Pueblo Viejo in Cucunuba. The accident occurred a week after a similar accident in the region. The previous explosion claimed nine lives.

“The four miners were trapped in the mine where they were later found dead,” confirmed Jorge Emilio Rey, governor of the Cundinamarca region where the accident occurred.

The miners were reportedly at a depth of around 500 meters when the explosion occurred, local media reported.

Mining accidents in Colombia are common, and are often due to inadequate ventilation. In addition, illegal mining is carried out with inadequate safety measures.