Colombian coal mine blast kills 11, search on for survivors

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A powerful explosion has torn through a series of five coal mines interconnected by tunnels and ventiliation systems in a rural area of central Colombia, killing at least 11 people and leaving 10 others missing. Officials said Wednesday that nine other miners got out of the complex after the blast and were taken for medical examinations. President Gustavo Petro says rescuers are making every effort to reach the missing miners. The blast Tuesday night was attributed to a build-up of methane gas. It happened in Cundinamarca province about 45 miles from Colombia’s capital of Bogota. A fire department captain says the explosion affected five mines interconnected by tunnels, generating a “chain” blast with a wide impact.