Regional governor says 100 rescue employees have been deployed to attempt to free 10 miners trapped underground.
At the least 11 individuals have been killed in a coal mine explosion in central Colombiathe governor of the nation’s Cundinamarca division has stated, and 10 different miners stay trapped underground.
The incident within the municipality of Sutatausa, 74km (46 miles) north of the capital Bogota, occurred attributable to an accumulation of gases that exploded after a employee’s instrument brought about a spark, Governor Nicolas Garcia advised Blu Radio on Wednesday.
The explosion occurred late on Tuesday at a collection of authorized mines which might be linked.
“Persons are trapped between 700 and 900 meters [2,300 and 3,000 feet]underground, Garcia advised reporters. Two individuals have already been rescued and 7 escaped unaided.
Firefighters and different rescue employees could possibly be seen on the entrances to the mines in photos from native media, with a handful of relations awaiting details about their family members.
The governor stated greater than 100 rescue employees have been working to free the trapped miners.
“Each minute that passes means much less oxygen,” he stated.
A lamentable tragedy occurred within the Sutatausa mine, the place 11 individuals died. We’re doing all of the efforts with the federal government of Cundinamarca to rescue the trapped individuals with life. A hug of solidarity to the victims or their households.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 15, 2023
In a message posted on Twitter, the Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed that 11 individuals had died in what he described as a “tragedy”.
“We’re making each effort with the federal government of Cundinamarca to rescue the trapped individuals alive,” he wrote. “A hug of solidarity to the victims and their households.”
Colombia is dwelling to quite a few open and underground gold and coal mines. Incidents happen often, largely at operations which might be unlawful or don’t undertake ample safety measures.
Probably the most severe latest incident occurred in June 2010, when 73 individuals have been killed in a mine explosion within the northwest.
In August, 9 miners have been rescued from a collapsed unlawful coal mine in Cundinamarca.
In 2021, the South American nation recorded 148 deaths in mining incidents.
