- Title: COLOMBIA: Mining minister says 11 dead and 68 still unaccounted for in coal blast
- Date: 18th June 2010
- Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA. (JUNE 17, 2010) (REUTERS) GEOLOGY AND MINING INSTITUTE BUILDING COLOMBIAN MINISTER OF MINES AND ENERGY, HERNAN MARTINEZ AT NEWS CONFERENCE SIGN THAT READS, 'INGEOMINAS' (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN MINISTER OF MINES AND ENERGY, HERNAN MARTINEZ, SAYING: "There was a very large explosion in a mine called San Fernando in the municipality of Amaga. We
- Embargoed: 3rd July 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Colombia
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Industry
- Reuters ID: LVA75E5RB5PLRHZXP0HJ6RQXPVFX
- Story Text: More than 70 Colombian miners were trapped and all were feared dead on Thursday (June 17) after an explosion ripped through a coal mine in what could become one of the Andean country's worst mining disasters.
President Alvaro Uribe described the accident as a "big tragedy."
"They are looking to funnel in oxygen, they are working to rescue them and they are putting forth all of their efforts. This is a very big tragedy. So far, 16 bodies have been recovered. Initially, the information we had was that there were 72 people trapped in the mine," Uribe said.
The death toll was expected to rise as rescuers worked their way slowly down the mine shift at the San Fernando mine in northwestern Antioquia province.
The blast occurred far from the major mining operations run by companies such as Drummond and Glencore near the Caribbean coast of the world's No. 5 coal exporter, which has output of 70 million tonnes a year and is enjoying a boom in investment.
Relatives sobbed and hugged each other and anxiously pressed rescue workers for news as bodies wrapped in white sheets were carried from the wreckage to waiting hearses.
Colombia's Mines and Energy Minister said on Thursday that 68 remained inside the mine.
Earlier reports said at least 16 bodies were pulled from the aftermath after the midnight gas explosion at the San Fernando mine in northwestern Antioquia province. Mines and Energy Minister Hernan Martinez lowered the number of bodies recovered down to 11.
"There was a very large explosion in a mine called San Fernando in the municipality of Amaga. We know there were between 80 and 90 people working inside the tunnel. As of 10 o'clock this morning they have recovered 11 bodies and it is estimated that there are another 68 still inside," Mines and Energy Minister Hernan Martinez said.
A new accumulation of gas had temporarily halted attempts to reach miners trapped 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) below the surface, rescue workers on the ground said.
Colombia has enjoyed a boom in energy and mining investment under outgoing President Alvaro Uribe, who sent troops out to drive back left rebels who once controlled large parts of the country and targeted oil pipelines as part of Latin America's oldest insurgency.
San Fernando mine produces 240,000 tonnes a year of coal for local consumption, according to Martinez. He said the mine had been inspected on June 9 and was found to lack gas detectors. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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