Danao mine explosion injures four

FOUR coal miners were injured in an explosion in barangay Lawaan, Danao City, northern Cebu last Saturday.

Police investigation revealed that while working on the coal mine around 1 p.m. last Saturday, one of the workers allegedly hit a hard object creating a spark while digging with the use of a pick mattock.

Police said the methane gas caught the spark which may have triggered the explosion.

The victims sustained second degree burns and were brought to the Danao Provincial Hospital.

Police said the victims were later referred to a hospital in Cebu City for further treatment.

Police are conducting further investigation on the incident.

The victims are Arnel Bacang, 28, Rolito Capote, 36, Joseph Manzo, 18, and Cereno Lugas, 56.

Methane which is present in coal, usually builds up in coal tunnels where there is not enough air to dilute the gas. The slightest contacts to heat sources like sparks could trigger explosions./Reporter Rhea Ruth V. Rosell