Colombian Mine Methane Blast Claims Two Lives, Rescue Crews Hunt for Two Missing

BOGOTA, Colombia — Rescuers continued searching Saturday for two miners who remain missing after an explosion claimed the lives of two workers at a mine in central rural Colombia, authorities reported.

The National Mining Agency stated on social media that rescue teams were working at the site, although a collapse triggered by Friday’s methane gas explosion was hampering their progress. Four miners were present when the blast took place.

The mine is located in Chita, a municipality within the department of Boyacá, approximately 149 miles (240 kilometers) north of Bogotá. Governor Carlos Amaya of Boyacá said he was monitoring the investigation into the explosion’s cause.

Security camera footage aired by Colombian media captured a massive plume of black smoke and flames rising from the blast site.

Mining officials did not disclose the mine’s operator or the specific mineral being extracted. They confirmed that the operation was duly registered with the agency.

Mining accidents are frequent in central Colombia, where numerous small‑scale operations extract coal and emeralds.

The agency has previously cautioned that gases and dust can accumulate in coal deposits, creating hazardous conditions.

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