The death toll from the explosion in a mine from the department of Colombia, in Norte de Santander (northeast), bordering Venezuela, rose to 12 this Sunday, official sources reported.
The rescuers continue the search and rescue efforts of three other workers who have been missing since May 30.
The Mining Safety and Rescue Group of the National Mining Agency (ANM) reported in a statement that between Saturday and Sunday they rescued the bodies of five miners.
The information detailed that there is “a balance to date of twelve (12) fatalities and three (3) missing workers.”
Rescue of the dead from the mine in Colombia
The works have been developed without interruption for six days. “They will conclude once the rescue of all the missing workers is finished.”
Nine of the deceased have been identified. Among them is included one who was injured when he was going to enter the mine just at the time of the explosion. He died 36 hours later from burns.
The accident occurred on May 30 at the La Mestiza mine, located in the town of El Zulia, an hour and a half from Cúcuta, the departmental capital. The incident was caused by concentrations of methane gas and coal dust.
