A mine explosion in the Asturias region of Spain has resulted in the deaths of at least five workers and the injuries of numerous others.

The catastrophe happened on Monday at the Cerredo mine in Degaña, which is 280 kilometers northwest of Madrid.

Adriana Lastra, a spokesperson for Asturias’ central administration, addressed reporters on the ground.

According to Lastra, preliminary studies suggested that methane in the mine may have formed firedamp, an explosive mixture, which is what caused the explosion.

“Police are already at the scene and are looking into what happened,” Lastra stated.

The injured, who have burns and, in one instance, a head injury, have been flown to hospitals in neighboring cities.

The location, which was encircled by police and emergency services vehicles, has seen a surge of worker families.