Four dead in Colombia mine explosion - reports

BOGOTA, Feb 4 (Reuters) Four Colombian coal miners were killed and 28 more were trapped and feared dead after explosions in two coal mines in the northern province of Norte de Santander local media reported.

Firefighters and police were trying to rescue those trapped in the mines about 1,000 metres underground near the town of Sardinata, the media reports said yesterday.

Fernando Rosales, head of provincial civil defense, told reporters he feared all the trapped miners may be dead as rescue operations were slowed by the presence of deadly gasses in the mine shafts.

A spark amid the gasses could lead to another explosion, endangering rescue workers, Rosales said.

REUTERS SBA BST0716