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Two miners trapped underground following quake

PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea 18.04.2015 13:32
Two miners are trapped underground in a mine in Silesia after an earthquake at the Wujek-Ruch Śląsk coal mine.
Workers repair the sign outside the mine following an earthquake which saw two miners trapped underground. Photo: PAP/Andrzej GrygielWorkers repair the sign outside the mine following an earthquake which saw two miners trapped underground. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel

According to the Crisis Management Centre in Katowice, the incident took place 16 minutes after midnight, 850 meters underground, in an area where no mining operations were currently taking place.

After counting the miners working on the shift – in accordance with the procedure implemented in such situations – it turned out that two of them were missing.

“The search started after at 2.10 am,” said Wojciech Jaros, a spokesperson for Katowicki Holding Węglowy, which operates the mine.

The search party is being led by eight mine rescue specialists, Jarosm said, adding that the rescue team will have to smash through some of the walls by hand.

Conditions are hard as there is limited air supply. This means that the workers will have to wear specialist breathing equipment and is further delaying the operation.

“Earthquakes were felt in many parts of [the southern Polish city of] Katowice, including Siemianowice and Ligota,” authorities said. (rg)

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