A tragic cave-in at the Myslowice-Wesola coal mine in southern Poland early Tuesday has resulted in the deaths of two miners, with one still unaccounted for, according to mining authorities. The incident, which occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m., took place 870 meters (2,800 feet) underground in a section where 15 miners were working, as reported by Rajmund Horst, the deputy head of the mining company.
Rescue teams managed to bring two miners to the surface who were subsequently declared deceased. Another miner, who was retrieved from the site, is currently receiving medical treatment. Of the 12 miners who sustained injuries, nine remain hospitalized, while the others have been treated and released.
Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing miner, with six rescue teams actively involved in the search. The area where the cave-in occurred, near the coal face, is known for its heightened risk of cave-ins and methane gas explosions, which are prevalent hazards in many Polish coal mines.
This incident marks the second cave-in at the Myslowice-Wesola mine this year, following a previous incident on April 17 that resulted in the death of one miner. Additionally, two other miners have lost their lives in separate mining accidents in Poland this year. In 2023, the Polish mining sector saw 15 fatalities due to workplace accidents.
