STORY: :: A coal mine explosion in Colombia leaves nine workers dead and six others injured
:: Sutatausa, Colombia / May 5, 2026
:: Colombia's mining agency said the accident seemed to be caused by a build-up of gases
The blast occurred at the La Ciscuda mine, operated by Carbonera Los Pinos. The company could not immediately be reached for comment.
The mining agency said the accident seemed to be caused by a build-up of gases, and that it had recommended that the mine strengthen its safety measures during a site visit on April 9 in which it had identified gases, including methane, that it said could become dangerous.
The six workers who survived were taken to a regional hospital for treatment, the director of El Salvador de Ubate hospital, Luis Alfredo Nino, said to Reuters on Tuesday (May 5).
Serious accidents are common at open-pit and subterranean coal and gold mines in Colombia, mostly at illegal or informal operations and those without proper safety measures.
