Five dead, dozens trapped after blast at coal mine in northeastern Colombia

Five dead, dozens trapped after blast at coal mine in northeastern Colombia

2011-01-26 22:08:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

SARDINATA, COLOMBIA (BNO NEWS) -- An explosion killed at least five people and left 30 others trapped inside a coal mine in northeastern Colombia on Wednesday, Caracol Radio reported.

The explosion happened around 6.30 a.m. local time at the "La Preciosa" coal mine in the municipality of Sardinata in Santander Department. The cause was not immediately known.

Initial reports indicate that at least 30 workers are trapped inside the coal mine. In addition, eight miners were reportedly injured while rescue teams have recovered five bodies so far.

Sardinata mayor Yamile Rangel said that rescue efforts are still underway and thus no official death toll has been disclosed. Rescue teams from Sardinata and nearby Cucuta and Zulia were rushed to the site.

This same coal mine registered a similar explosion four years ago, killing 31 miners. An accumulation of gas in a chamber was blamed as the cause of the disaster.

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