Explosion at northern Spain mine claims two lives, four trapped underground

An explosion at the Cerredo mine in Degaña, northern Spain, has left two people dead, three injured, and four trapped underground, emergency services have confirmed.

The incident, which occurred this morning, is considered a serious accident, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Spanish media.

Two other workers escaped unharmed. According to the Emergency Medical Care Service (SAMU), two of the injured suffered burns and were initially taken to the health centre in Villablino, León.

Due to the severity of their injuries, they were later transferred to hospitals in León, one by helicopter and the other by a basic life support ambulance. A third injured worker, who sustained serious trauma, was treated at the scene before being taken to the Carmen y Severo Ochoa Hospital in Cangas del Narcea.

The regional government spokesman, Guillermo Peláez, expressed his condolences and stated that “at least nine people” had been affected. The Finance Minister confirmed that the workers had been engaged in operations related to potential graphite use at the mine. Initial investigations suggest that the explosion may have been caused by machinery.

Emergency teams remain at the site, including primary care staff from Degaña, two mobile intensive care units, a conventional ambulance, and two collective transport ambulances. A medical rescue helicopter from SEPA has also been deployed, alongside two multifunction helicopters. One has been used to transport the Mine Rescue Brigade from the Fondón pit, while the other has carried intervention personnel, including a canine unit.

The 112 Emergency Coordination Centre received reports of the explosion at 09:32 local time, initially describing it as an incident at the mine. Further details later confirmed that a machinery-related issue had resulted in injuries.

In response, SEPA has mobilised additional fire crews from Cangas del Narcea and Ibias, a logistics support vehicle, and an advanced command post. Senior officials, including Asturias’ government delegate, Adriana Lastra, and the regional minister for ecological transition, Belarmina Díaz, are en route to the site.

By Aghakazim Guliyev