So far, 10 miners have been confirmed dead, while the search continues for another five missing.

Last Saturday there was an explosion caused by methane and coal dust accumulation in the mine, informed the National Mining Agency, which expressed its “solidarity with the victims’ families”.

The search is being carried out by rescue agencies, the mining rescue team of the municipality of Nobsa, members of the National Police and firefighters, it added.

The mining salvage team “installed a ventilation duct to improve the environmental conditions underground (…) given the high methane concentrations”, the entity detailed.

“There are landslides, which could hinder the rescue, if possible, of victims that are yet to be located,” the Agency added.

According to statements made by Gustavo Raad de la Ossa, vice-president of Mining Rescue Follow-up and Control to Caracol Radio Boyacá, so far this year there have been 14 mining accidents in the department, and 25 persons have died.

In 2021, 130 people died in mining accidents in Colombia, 41 less than the 171 of the previous year and 60 percent of those deaths occurred in illegal mines and the department of Boyacá is the one with the highest numbers.

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