At least five individuals have lost their lives due to a tragic explosion at a mine in northern Spain. The incident occurred at around 09:30 AM on Monday at the Cerredo mine located in Degaña, Asturias, about 450 kilometers northwest of Madrid. Authorities were alerted to a "problem with a machine" at the site, prompting a rapid response from emergency services, including ambulances, fire crews, and rescue teams.
Initial reports indicate that four other miners sustained injuries, with two more individuals initially unaccounted for. However, by early afternoon, these two were located, alleviating some concern. The fatalities comprised residents from the nearby province of León, aged between 32 and 54 years, as confirmed by the Spanish government's delegation in Asturias. The injured workers were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
Eyewitness accounts highlighted that miners had been at the site under a permit approved for extracting minerals, specifically for graphite production. Local reports mention that while the mine had been a significant resource prior to its closure in 2018, it has since seen intermittent use by private firms to extract anthracite.
The severity of the incident prompted Asturias’ President, Adrián Barbón, to declare two days of mourning for the victims. Furthermore, the region's civil protection plan was activated at its basic level, indicating that the situation is manageable with existing resources. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, also reached out with condolences, expressing wishes for the swift recovery of those injured in this devastating event.
Initial reports indicate that four other miners sustained injuries, with two more individuals initially unaccounted for. However, by early afternoon, these two were located, alleviating some concern. The fatalities comprised residents from the nearby province of León, aged between 32 and 54 years, as confirmed by the Spanish government's delegation in Asturias. The injured workers were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
Eyewitness accounts highlighted that miners had been at the site under a permit approved for extracting minerals, specifically for graphite production. Local reports mention that while the mine had been a significant resource prior to its closure in 2018, it has since seen intermittent use by private firms to extract anthracite.
The severity of the incident prompted Asturias’ President, Adrián Barbón, to declare two days of mourning for the victims. Furthermore, the region's civil protection plan was activated at its basic level, indicating that the situation is manageable with existing resources. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, also reached out with condolences, expressing wishes for the swift recovery of those injured in this devastating event.
