A coal mine explosion in Colombia's Cundinamarca province has killed nine workers and injured six, the National Mining Agency reported. The blast, which occurred on Monday at a legally operated mine in the Sutatausa municipality, 72 km north of the capital Bogota, was caused by a buildup of gases, the agency said.

The explosion took place at a mine operated by Carbonera Los Pinos, where miners were working at least 600 meters underground, according to local authorities. The company could not be immediately reached for comment. The mining agency had issued risk-control recommendations for the site weeks earlier, following a visit on April 9 where it identified gases including methane that could become dangerous.

Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey stated on social media that the explosion was “apparently due to a buildup of gases.” He initially reported 12 people trapped, with three managing to escape. Rescue workers were en route to the site, and authorities were assessing gas levels before conducting rescue operations.

The injured were taken to a local hospital for treatment. “We deeply regret this tragedy and send a message of condolence, solidarity, and support to their families,” Rey said.

The National Mining Agency expressed solidarity with the victims' families and noted that “thanks to timely rescue efforts, six miners were rescued alive.” The agency warned that coal deposits can present accumulations of gases such as methane and coal dust.

Mining accidents in Colombia frequently occur due to poor ventilation, especially at illegal or unsafe operations. The area where Monday's incident took place also hosts illegal mines that fail to meet safety standards.

Source: www.aljazeera.com