Colombian coal mine blast kills 11, 10 more trapped

A powerful explosion in a coal mine in central Colombia that affected four other mines linked by tunnels has killed at least 11 people and left 10 others missing, the government said Wednesday. President Gustavo Petro said on his Twitter account that rescuers were making every effort to reach the trapped miners.

The blast, which was attributed to a buildup of methane gas, took place Tuesday night in the municipality of Sutatausa in Cundinamarca province. Captain of the Cundinamarca fire department, told local media the explosion affected five mines interconnected by tunnels, generating a “chain” blast with a wider impact. The blast occurred when the highly explosive methane gas ignited.