An explosion in a coal mine in Colombia's province of Boyacia has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people, while four others are reported missing, the National Mines and Mining Agency (Agencia Nacional de Minería, ANM) said yesterday, Sunday.
The accident occurred on Saturday night due to the accumulation of methane in an arcade of the mine, which is located in the municipality of Tusco, the ANM explained.
Colombia has hundreds of open-pit and underground mines and mines, some of which are operated by multinational corporations and others by smaller companies. Several operate illegally.
The extraction of oil, coal and metals is the source of most of Colombia's export revenues. However, accidents in the mining and quarrying sector are frequent, especially in operations that operate illegally, or without observing the necessary safety measures.
The coal mine in Tusco was operating under license, ANM noted. Rescue crews and firefighters fear that the four missing people are also dead.
In 2021, 128 mining accidents were recorded in Colombia, resulting in the deaths of 148 people. So far this year, there have been 19, with 36 deaths, always according to the ANM.
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