Landázuri coal mine explosion kills four miners

An explosion at a coal mine in the El Carmen district of Landázuri, Santander, has resulted in the deaths of four miners. The victims have been identified as Óscar Jhovanny Dávila Quiguanas, 49; Michel Dávila Díaz, 19; Jorge Mosquera, 65; and Leonardo Antonio Vargas Hernández, 21, a Venezuelan national.

Rescue operations were conducted by local organizations, the National Mining Agency (ANM), and specialized personnel from the company Invercoa. The bodies were transported by the Technical Investigation Body (CTI) to Cimitarra for judicial proceedings.

This incident marks the second fatal mining accident in the municipality during 2026, following a collapse in June that killed two people. Data indicates that between November 2023 and September 2026, Landázuri has recorded at least 11 mining incidents, resulting in 18 deaths and 15 injuries. Investigations into the specific causes of this latest explosion are ongoing.