Death toll rises to 13 from Colombia’s coal mine explosion

BOGOTA: MARCH. 1 – The death toll rose to 13 from Saturday’s explosion inside the La Chapa coal mine in the Colombian municipality of Tasco in the Boyaca department after two more bodies were found, local authorities said Monday.

The two bodies were found on Monday after a 36-hour search operation by more than 50 rescuers.

Preliminary information from Tasco authorities showed that the explosion was generated by the accumulation of methane gas.

Juan Cusba, mayor of Tasco, lamented the event and ordered tightening security measures in the municipality.

-Xinhua