Colombia Coal Mine Blast Kills 9, Rescuers Save 6 in Sutatausa

Overview

• The blast at a legal coal mine in Sutatausa on Monday left nine miners dead and six rescued alive, according to authorities.
• Crews worked at roughly 600 meters underground, and high gas readings forced them to pace the search for survivors.
• Officials say the explosion apparently stemmed from a buildup of gases, including methane that often collects in coal seams.
• The National Mining Agency inspected the operation on April 9 and called for better ventilation and coal dust control after finding hazardous emissions.
• Regulators and local officials have opened technical and administrative investigations in a region with frequent deadly coal mine accidents, including illegal sites nearby.