5 killed, 4 injured in Spanish mine blast

According to regional emergency services, an explosion at a mine in Cerredo, Degana, situated northwest of Madrid in the northern region of Asturias, Spain, has resulted in the deaths of at least five workers and injuries to four others. La Voz de Asturias, a local newspaper, has reported that the mine is under the ownership of a recently established local enterprise that intended to repurpose the site for the extraction of ‘high-performance minerals’ intended for industrial applications. Preliminary findings from a representative of the central government of Asturias indicate that a methane leak, potentially forming an explosive mixture commonly referred to as firedamp, is suspected as the cause of the explosion. Law enforcement authorities present at the location have commenced an inquiry to determine the underlying causes of the incident, particularly in light of claims made by the families of the deceased concerning alleged deficiencies in the implementation of safety protocols by mining entities.