Two dead in Chilean mine explosion

Copiapo region, Chile. Google Maps

Just a month after Chile's president Sebastian Pinera's promise that the mining industry in his country would be overhauled to ensure miners' safety, another accident has occurred.

Reuters is reporting this morning that two miners have been killed at a very small mine about 50km east of the city of Copiapo, where last month's celebrated rescue of 'Los 33' took place.

The National Emergency Office said the men died after an explosion triggered a cave-in at the mine.

Five other men were able to escape the explosion with one of them later hospitalised for injuries, Reuters said.

Last month, worldwide attention focused on the rescue of 33 men who had been trapped underground at the Copiapo mine for 69 days.

- NZHERALD STAFF