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Four miners are trapped underground following an explosion at the Las Quintas coal mine in Pueblo Viejo, Cucunuba municipality, in central Colombia, regional governor Jorge Emilio Rey said on Sunday, May 10, 2026. The blast occurred the previous afternoon, May 9, prompting emergency response efforts by the Cundinamarca Risk Management Office.
The trapped workers are believed to be approximately 500 meters (1,650 feet) below ground, local media reported. Rescue teams have deployed to the site, but conditions remain challenging. The cause of the explosion has not been determined.
Mining accidents are frequent in the region, often linked to illegal or artisanal operations with inadequate ventilation and safety protocols. The incident comes six days after another explosion at an underground coal mine in Sutatausa, also in Cundinamarca, killed nine people on May 4, 2026.
The Cundinamarca Risk Management Office confirmed it is coordinating with emergency services at the scene. Officials are expected to provide an update on rescue operations within the next 24 hours.