At least five people have lost their lives due to an explosion at the Cerredo mine in northern Spain, specifically in Degaña, located approximately 450 kilometers (278 miles) north-west of Madrid. The explosion occurred around 09:30 local time (07:30 GMT) on Monday, prompting an immediate response from emergency services after reports of a "problem with a machine."
Rescue teams, including ambulances and fire services, were quickly dispatched to the scene. While initially two individuals were reported missing, they were later confirmed to be safe. Unfortunately, the fatalities included all residents from the nearby province of León, aged between 32 and 54. The injured victims were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical care.
The mining rescue brigade was also deployed, which included a canine unit. Reports from regional media indicated that workers at the mine were operating under a legal permit to extract minerals used for producing graphite. Before its closure in 2018, the Cerredo site had been a significant mine, which has since seen intermittent use by private companies mining anthracite.
The exact number of individuals present at the mine during the incident remains unclear. In the wake of this disaster, the President of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, has declared a two-day period of mourning across the region. The local civil protection plan designed for emergencies has been activated to its lowest level, suggesting the situation is manageable with the resources at hand. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences on social media, wishing for a swift recovery for the injured.
