BOGOTA, June 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The bodies of all 14 men trapped by an explosion in a coal mine in northeast Colombia last week have been recovered, the country’s National Mining Agency said.
The effort had taken 10 days since the underground explosion on May 30, with the last body recovered early Thursday morning, the agency said in a statement.
Officials said a buildup of gasses apparently led to a fire, explosion and the collapse of nearly 90 percent of the mine in the town of El Zulia, near the border with Venezuela.
The gasses initially prevented rescuers from approaching the area and getting to the miners some 200 meters under ground.
Another worker, the 15th victim, had been outside the shaft when the explosion occurred but died later of severe burns.
The mine, unlike many in the region that work outside the law, operated with state permits.
It had recently reopened after its operations were suspended for a year in March 2021 following another accident, according to Jhon Olivares, mining secretary for the Norte de Santander department where the mine is located.
Last year, Colombia recorded 148 deaths in mining accidents.
Mined raw materials are one of the country’s main exports, along with oil. — NNN-AGENCIES
