Two killed, at least 12 trapped in Colombia coal mine blast

At least two people were killed after an explosion ripped through a central Colombian coal mine on Friday, leaving two others injured, according to a government statement.

Twelve to 15 people remain trapped.

The incident occurred at around 4:40 p.m. local time (2140 GMT) at a coal mine in Cucunuba, central Colombia's Cundinamarca. "Accumulation of methane gas" could be behind the blast, the governor of Cundinamarca has said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said in a tweet that the Risk Management Unit and the National Mine Agency were attending the rescue work. From France, where he is on an official visit, he lamented the accident and expressed solidarity with the victims.

The Red Cross also said via Twitter that they have already dispatched rescue teams to the scene.

(CGTN)