At least nine miners were killed and six others injured in a coal mine explosion in central Colombia on Monday, according to authorities. The incident occurred in a legal mine located in the Sutatausa municipality, about 72 kilometers north of Bogotá. Preliminary findings suggest that gas accumulation inside the mine triggered the blast. Rescuers managed to save six workers alive, while nine fatalities were confirmed by the National Mining Agency.

Cundinamarca Governor Jorge Emilio Rey stated that trapped gas was the likely cause of the explosion. He added that twelve miners had been trapped underground, three of whom managed to escape on their own. Rescue teams reached the site quickly and began operations after checking gas levels inside the mine.

Mining accidents are frequent in Colombia, often linked to poor ventilation and weak safety measures. The region also hosts many illegal mines where safety regulations are not properly enforced, increasing the risk of deadly incidents.