Explosion underground: malfunction kills at least 5 workers

Degaña (Spain) - Workers were actually just checking whether a mine in northern Spain was still suitable for mining graphite. But suddenly there was a loud bang and the machine they were working with exploded next to them. At least five people died.

According to a report by Spanish broadcaster rtve, the devastating explosion occurred this Monday morning at around 9.40 am (local time).

An undisclosed number of workers were checking the condition of the mine and the graphite on the third floor of the mine when a machine near them blew up due to a malfunction.

The Spanish emergency service 112 Asturias immediately declared a state of emergency after the accident, which calls a rescue chain into action - the so-called "Situation 0".

According to the SAMU rescue service, five people died and four others were injured in the accident. Their lives are still in danger. The four injured people were taken to the nearest hospital immediately after being rescued.

Due to the severe burns on their bodies, their exact state of health is still uncertain.

Adrián Barbón (46), the President of Asturias, an autonomous community in the north of Spain, has also spoken out via X and expressed his condolences.

"As a sign of respect for the victims", he has declared a two-day mourning period for the region.