Rescue teams in Guacheta, Colombia, recovered the bodies of two miners on Friday (February 6) after an explosion trapped six workers in the Mata Siete coal mine, authorities said.

The bodies were found at depths of 275 meters and 290 meters, according to Albeiro Aguillon, commander of the Choconta firefighters, who confirmed the scene was secured and gas levels checked before extraction.

Firefighters said a buildup of methane gas caused the explosion, prompting a frantic rescue operation.

Families and friends gathered outside the mine, awaiting news of their loved ones. "(Losing) my son is hard to handle, but we must move forward, trust in God," said Nubia Pena, mother of one of the trapped miners.

Authorities continue search and rescue efforts for the remaining missing miners. The incident highlights ongoing risks in Colombia's coal mining sector, where gas explosions and collapses are frequent due to safety challenges in informal and small-scale operations, according to authorities.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

GUACHETA, CUNDINAMARCA, COLOMBIA (FEBRUARY 6, 2026) (RCN TV – No use Colombia / CNN Spanish / Telemundo / Univision / City TV Colombia)

1. MINERS AND POLICE CARRYING BODY OF DEAD MINER ON STRETCHER IN COAL MINE

2. MEMBER OF PROSECUTOR'S INVESTIGATION TEAM

3. WORKERS NEXT TO AMBULANCE

4. WORKERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS GATHERING OUTSIDE MINE

5. RELATIVE OF MINER CRYING OUTSIDE MINE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COMMANDER OF CHOCONTA FIREFIGHTERS, ALBEIRO AGUILLON, SAYING:

"This morning, they found the first body at 275 meters, the second body at 290 meters. They secured the scene and went out to check gas levels before re-entering. They changed shifts and extracted the two bodies."

7. MINERS AND RESCUERS CARRYING BODY OF DECEASED MINER FROM COAL MINE

8. VARIOUS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF VICTIMS, OUTSIDE MINE

9. VARIOUS OF MINERS OUTSIDE MINE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MOTHER OF TRAPPED MINER, NUBIA PENA, SAYING:

"And now my son, it's hard to handle, but we must move forward, be in God's hands. God will provide for us, for all the families, for all of us here, to keep going."

11. FIRE TRUCK AT MINE ENTRANCE

12. VARIOUS OF MINERS AND RESCUERS PREPARING FOR RESCUE OPERATIONS

13. FAMILIES OUTSIDE MINE

14. HEARSE DRIVING AWAY