ALBAWABA - A powerful tremor occurred 1200 meters underground, impacting 78 miners. So far, 76 miners have been rescued, with 17 hospitalized shortly after the quake; all are now in stable condition.
The collapse was caused by a 3.1 magnitude earthquake, trapping the miners underneath. Teams of rescue are exerting great effort to get to the people who are stuck.
The Polish Coal Mining Group's representative, Aleksandra Wysocka-Siembiga, told the Associated Press that things had gotten better enough for search efforts to go into the night.
Because of the high methane levels in the mine and the possibility of further earthquakes, rescue attempts were first put on hold.
A dispatcher from the State Mining Authority (WUG) confirmed casualties to PAP following the tremor. The exact magnitude and epicenter remain unknown, and rescue operations are ongoing.
This year, the Polish Coal Mining Group has seen many deadly events. Three miners lost their lives in a collapse at the Myslowice-Wesola coal mine in May, and another worker perished there in April.
