In a recent incident in southern Poland, a methane gas fire at a coal mine has resulted in injuries to 16 coal miners. Reports indicate that the fire occurred at the Knurow-Szczyglowice colliery, which is managed by the JSW coal mining company. The head of the regional ambulance service in Katowice, Lukasz Pach, confirmed that 14 of the injured miners required hospitalization for their burns and other injuries.

The fire reportedly erupted approximately 850 meters (2,800 feet) below the surface, although the specific cause of the incident is still under investigation. In an effort to ensure safety, 44 miners were successfully evacuated from the affected area, as indicated by Adam Rozmus, a deputy head at JSW.

Methane gas incidents are not uncommon in Poland’s coal mining industry, often leading to hazardous fires and, in some cases, catastrophic explosions. The rescue operations and safety protocols are continually assessed to prevent further risks to the miners working in these challenging environments.