A tremor occurred at 9:09 p.m. at the Rudna mine near Polkowice. The ground collapsed at a depth of 1,100 metres. Immediately after the incident, after checking the number of people who had swiped their cards upon leaving the mine, it was known that 16 miners had been in the endangered area. After 9 o’clock, [number missing in original] were safely brought out. Six of them had minor injuries, and 3 were taken to hospital. One of the men died.
The rescue operation is currently under way. Seven people have still not been found.
“The evening tremor was quite strong. It occurred as a result of mining activity,” said Jolanta Piątek, spokesperson for KGHM Polska Miedź. It was felt as far away as Bolesławiec, several dozen kilometres from the mine.
Update 00:56
So far, three miners have been taken to the county hospital in Głogów. Examinations of a 29-year-old man have already been completed. He has an injury to the cervical spine and a foot injury, but will be discharged from hospital. The other two, aged 32 and 42, have head injuries but are conscious. They will definitely remain in the surgical ward.
Update 03:50
As KGHM Polska Miedź Vice President Piotr Walczak announced at a night-time press conference, two miners died as a result of the tectonic tremor, and six are still being searched for.
Update 09:00
KGHM’s authorities announced four days of mourning. The rescue operation continues. Sixty-five rescuers are searching for the six miners mentioned above.
Update 09:43
According to TOK FM radio, Prime Minister Beata Szydło will travel to Lower Silesia today.
Update 10:34
The third miner is dead. Rescuers are searching for the remaining five.
