A devastating blast at a coal mine in Spain’s Asturias region claimed the lives of five people and left four others seriously injured on Monday, marking the country’s deadliest mining accident in nearly three decades.
The explosion occurred at the Cerredo mine in Degaña, approximately 450 kilometres (280 miles) northwest of Madrid. While two other workers escaped unharmed, the tragedy has reignited concerns over mining safety.
Authorities suspect the explosion was caused by firedamp—an explosive mixture of methane gas commonly found in coal mines. Adriana Lastra, the Spanish government’s representative in Asturias, confirmed that police had begun an investigation at the site.
The blast occurred underground at around 9:30 am (0730 GMT), prompting an immediate emergency response. As news of the disaster spread, distraught family members rushed to the scene, where police and medical personnel were stationed.
The regional government of Asturias confirmed that the victims were aged between 32 and 54. The injured were transported to hospitals in nearby cities, with two airlifted due to the severity of their burns and injuries.
The mine is owned by Blue Solving, a recently established company aiming to repurpose the site for extracting high-performance minerals for industrial use, according to La Voz de Asturias.
Spain’s Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz, who visited the scene, pledged legal consequences if negligence was found.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and wished a “speedy recovery” to the injured in a message on social media.
Asturias regional leader Adrián Barbón declared two days of mourning in response to the tragedy.
Mining has long played a significant role in Asturias’ economy, but the latest disaster shows the persistent dangers faced by those working in the industry.
