Coal news and updates

Poland: Several dead in coal mine explosions

A rescue operation is underway to find miners trapped in a Polish coal mine following two gas explosions overnight. At least five people were killed, while several others are still unaccounted for.

Suspected methane blasts have killed at least five people and injured 20 others in a coal mine in southern Poland, authorities said Wednesday.

Mining company JSW said 13 teams were involved in a rescue operation to find several workers who are still missing. However, efforts had to be put on hold due to a second explosion and subsequent fire as well as difficult conditions underground.

JSW said the explosions occurred at its Pniowek mine in Pawlowice shortly after midnight at a depth of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet).

There were 42 miners in the area at the time. Several of the initial rescuers were also trapped. Experts were evaluating the possibility of restarting rescue operations.