At least four dead following Columbian mine explosion.

At least four people have died and between 65 and 95 are reported to be injured following an explosion at a mine in the Buriticá District in the west of Antioquia State, Columbia on Friday 25 April 2014. The mine is understood to be an unlicensed, informal operation, and it is thought that the explosion was caused by improper use of a locally made explosive called 'crazy dust', which is a frequent cause of fatalities in the region. A number of those injured are being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning, and it is feared that the death tole will rise, as there are thought to be miners still trapped in the mine, which is still partially flooded with the poisonous gas. Rescue workers with breathing equipment have entered the mine, but efforts are apparently being hampered by the remote and inaccessible location of the mine, which is making it hard to reach with the equipment necessary to pump air into the mine, particularly as  it is peak rainy season at the moment.

A body being carried from the Buriticá mine. La Opinion.

The Buriticá District has considerable reserves of both gold and silver, and has a number of large mines operated by international companies. It also has a large informal sector, with many mines that have no legal standing, some of which operated by criminal gangs with links to the drugs trade or even by rebel groups; the mountainous nature of the area (which is in the Andes) and Columbia's long history of political instability making the area hard to police.

The approximate location of the Buriticá mine. Google Maps.

See also...

 Fatality at Mexican Silver Mine.

 Chile closes inquiry into 2010 mine collapse.

 Chilean miners strike after landslip kills worker.

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Five dead after Columbian landslide.

Five people have died after a landslide struck a house in the town of Santa Domingo in Antioquia State in northeast Columbia in the early hours of Thursday 14 November 2013. The dead have been identified as Nebardo Hernandez (29) his 26-year-old wife, and their three sons, two of whom were under five years old. 

Rescuers searching for survivors of the 14 November Santa Domingo landslide. Ingenieros Militares de Columbia.

The incident happened following a night of torrential rain. Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall. Such incidents are common in mountainous Columbia, particularly during the countries two rainy seasons, between April and June and September and November. This two rainy seasons per year pattern is typical in equatorial countries, with rainy seasons around the equinoxes and dry seasons around the solstices.

The approximate location of the 14 November 2013 Santa Domingo landslide. Google Maps.

See also 58 feared dead following Mexican landslide, 13 killed by landslide in Veracruz State, central Mexico, Six children dead in Honduran landslide, Seven people killed in Mexican landslide and Chilean miners strike after landslip kills worker.

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