Up to 70 feared dead in Colombian mine blast

[sinkingfeeling]

Source: MSNBC.com

AMAGA, Colombia - More than 70 Colombian miners were trapped and feared dead Thursday in an overnight coal mine explosion that killed at least 16 miners in what could be one of the country's worst mining accidents.

"This is a huge tragedy, initially we have reports of 72 people trapped and now we have 16 bodies recovered," President Alvaro Uribe said.

Luz Amanda Pulido, a national disaster official, told local radio there was "practically no" chance of pulling out miners alive from the mine.

Colombia, the world's No. 5 coal exporter, has enjoyed a boom in energy and mining investment under Uribe, who sent troops out to drive back left rebels who once targeted oil pipelines and infrastructure for attacks.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37755622/ns/world_news-americas/

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Coal mining is a dangerous occupation no matter where it takes place.

[Enrique]

1. it's more dangerous in poor countries

they don't have the regulations we do. China seems to be the worst, they've had many accidents recently and they're not slowing down for investigations like we are.

[denverbill]

2. Not if American mine owners like Murray and Massey have their way.n/t

[Dr.Phool]

3. We have regulations?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

It's like a former boss of mine on the railroad told me, when I pointed out some safety violations on equipment.

"Those regulations aren't there for you to work by. They're there to put the blame on you when something goes wrong". True story.

[bongbong]

4. It could fill DU

If every case of corporate malfeasance that resulted in multiple murders and deaths was posted here on DU, there would be room for little else.

We need more stories about the suffering of corporate executives; like the expensive fuel bills they have for their megayachts and private jets.