A powerful methane explosion today in a coal mine near the north-west Colombian city of Amaga killed at least 16 miners and left another 72 missing, dpa quoted Alfredo Ramos, governor of Antioquia province as saying. Earlier numbers described three dead and 60 miners still trapped. Rescue troops have pushed 600 metres into the mine, which reaches to a depth of 1,500 metres. The explosion was felt across several kilometres distance from the mine, local media reported. Normally 600 miners work in the mine, but the explosion occurred during shift change, likely sparing some lives. Colombian mines, including many which are illegal, are considered especially dangerous. The mine hit by the explosion however was licensed and considered to be one of the safer operations.
