Colombian miners trapped as blast kills five

An explosion at a coal mine killed at least five workers in northern Colombia yesterday and trapped 16 more.

The explosion occurred at La Preciosa mine in Sardinata, some 250 miles north-east of the capital Bogota. In 2007, 32 people were killed in a blast at the same mine.

Sardinata's mayor, Yamile Rangel Calderon, said at least five people were injured, and added that rescue workers had been unable to enter the mine due to a collapse. Initial reports blamed methane gas for the explosion.