Mexico coal mine caves in, trapping nine miners

In Mexico's worst mining accident, 63 lives were lost at a Coahuila mine in 2006. Photo / 123rf

A cave-in at a coal mine in northern Mexico has trapped nine miners, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said.

The president tweeted that the accident happened in the town of Sabinas in the border state of Coahuila. He said 92 soldiers, specialists and four dogs were at the scene assisting rescue efforts.

The Coahuila state government said in a statement that the collapse occurred after the miners breached a neighbouring area filled with water.

The mine began operations this year, and the local government said it had not received any complaints or reports of previous incidents. Sabinas is about 112km southwest of Eagle Pass, Texas.

Local media outlets reported that a miner managed to escape the collapse and alerted authorities.

Milenio television said relatives of the trapped miners gathered outside the mine awaiting information.

In June and July of 2021, cave-ins at two Coahuila mines claimed the lives of nine miners.

Mexico's worst mining accident also occurred in Coahuila on February 19, 2006, when an explosion ripped through the Pasta de Conchos mine while 73 miners were inside. Eight were rescued with injuries including serious burns. The rest died and only two of their bodies were recovered.

López Obrador's administration promised two years ago to recover the remaining 63 bodies, a highly technical endeavour that has still not beg