A methane ignition in the Knurow-Szczyglowice coal mine in southern Poland left 16 miners injured on Wednesday, with 14 transported to local hospitals for treatment. The incident occurred at a depth of more than 850 meters, where 44 miners were present during the gas ignition. Emergency medical teams responded swiftly, providing assistance at the scene, while one miner, still underground, was awaiting helicopter transport to a hospital.
Aleksander Chowaniec, deputy head of the State Mining Authority, confirmed that the affected miners had sustained burns. The operator of the mine, JSW, reported the accident, while its shares fell by 2.3% shortly after the news broke.
The Knurow-Szczyglowice mine, known for its extensive underground operations, has faced challenges related to methane management, which is a common hazard in deep mining. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the gas ignition, and rescue efforts for the remaining miner are ongoing. The incident has reignited discussions about safety protocols and the risks miners face in such hazardous environments.
