They find 9 of the 12 miners trapped in a sinkhole in Socha (Boyacá) dead

There is mourning in the municipality of Socha, in the eastern department of Boyacá, after an accident on Friday afternoon in a coal mine in which 12 workers were trapped, of which only three survived, after rescue efforts by emergency agencies.

The incident occurred at the Santa Inés mine, located in the Boche sector, around 3:30 p.m., when apparently due to a build-up of gas, an explosion occurred which trapped the 12 miners who worked on the site.

Considering the situation, The National Mines Agency (ANM) said that when it learned of the event, it activated its emergency protocol.

“Once the call for help has been received, the ANM activated the emergency care protocol and made the trip of two engineers, two mechanics and six rescuers who are already on the site were summoned to attend the mining accident ”, they then indicated from the entity.

Later, the director of the Boyacá’s Disaster Risk Management Unit Germán Bermúdez said they are also supporting rescue efforts at the site. emergency agencies.

“At the moment, mine rescue actions are being carried out in collaboration with other relief organizations.: Police, Red Cross, Civil Protection, Firefighters, Departmental Risk and Disaster Management Unit and Socha Town Hall ”Bermudez said.

Thus, on Friday around 6 p.m., three of the trapped workers were rescued alive.

“The mine rescue team and relief organizations are saving the first three workers trapped in the Socha (Boyacá) coal mine alive. At the moment, they are receiving medical treatment at the municipal hospital and the search for the remaining workers is continuing ”, ANM said at the time.

A few minutes later the same entity reported the rescue of two other miners, but they were unfortunately found dead.

“Salvamento Minero reports the rescue of 2 dead and the search for 7 other workers continues for a total of 12 people affected, after the explosion of the Diamante 5 mine. Identities to be confirmed “, they had announced at the time in the ANM.

But The tragedy worsened with nightfall, after the lifeless bodies of the remaining miners were rescued.

“The National Mines Agency, the entity in charge of the rescue work, informs us about the 7 remaining miners, who have already found their bodies, but without vital signs. They will perform the necessary tasks to be able to transfer them to the surface “said Zandra Bernal, the mayor of Socha.

The local representative, in addition, presented the final toll of the mining emergency and recalled that only three of the trapped workers survived to the disaster.

“As mayor of the municipality, I allow myself to make the last official report concerning the mining emergency that occurred today in our municipality. About 12 minors were unfortunately involved in this fact, three of them saved alive who are at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Hospital. Two of them were unfortunately saved lifeless, the lifting work has already been carried out by the Judicial Police. Our municipality is in mourning today and we stand in solidarity with the families of the victims, ”added Bernal.

The director of the Boyacá Disaster Risk Management Unit, Germán Bermúdez, also regretted the fact: “The mayor of Socha reports that the ANM mine rescue located the remaining 7 miners dead. CDGRD Boyacá entities maintain backup operations. We regret the loss of these 9 minors. Difficulties due to the accumulation of gas in the extraction process “.