Colombian mine explosion kills nine

A coal mine explosion in central Colombia on Monday killed nine people, the national mining authority said, less than a month after it flagged safety issues at the site.

The fatal accident at La Trinidad mine in the Sutatausa municipality, 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of the capital Bogota, had initially trapped 15 miners.

Six of them were evacuated and were being treated in hospital, the National Mining Agency said in a statement.

"Not my brother!" AFP heard a tearful relative cry outside the mine on Monday night.

The explosion occurred "apparently due to a buildup of gases," according to the Cundinamarca region's Governor Jorge Emilio Rey.

"We deeply regret this tragedy and extend our condolences, solidarity and support to their (the victims) families," he wrote on X.

AFP reporters saw ambulances, rescue workers and soldiers deployed at the scene, which was closed to the public.

The mining agency said it had carried out a "technical visit" to the mining operation on April 9, during which it made recommendations to "strengthen" safety "due to the presence of coal dust" and "gas emissions, especially methane."

The sister of one of the victims who asked not to be identified told AFP that the workers had been evacuated from the mine twice last week due to the presence of dangerous gases.

A worker who also wished to remain unidentified told AFP that he reached the bottom of the mine -- around 600 meters underground -- and found the lifeless victims before the rescue teams did.

"I went down and saw all the bodies lying there," he said, his face stained with coal.

Mining accidents in Colombia are frequent and often fatal, especially in illegal or makeshift mines, and usually occur due to poor ventilation.

In the area where Monday's incident took place, illegal mines that fail to meet safety standards are also in operation.

In February, six workers were killed after an explosion at an illegal coal mine in Guacheta, about 18 miles (30 kilometers) from Sutatausa.