A tragic incident in southern Poland has resulted in the death of three miners due to a coal mine fire that occurred earlier this week. Reports from hospital officials indicate that the fire broke out at the Knurow-Szczyglowice coal mine on Wednesday, injuring a total of 16 miners when methane gas was ignited approximately 850 meters (2,800 feet) underground.

Among the injured, nine workers sustained severe burns and are currently receiving treatment at a specialized unit in a hospital located in Siemianowice Slaskie. Meanwhile, five miners suffered less serious injuries and have since been discharged after receiving care at other medical facilities.

According to Wojciech Smetek, spokesperson for the Siemianowice Slaskie hospital, the tragic loss occurred when two miners died from extensive burns covering about 80% of their bodies on Saturday. The first fatality was reported on Thursday, highlighting the seriousness of the injuries sustained during the fire.

Authorities are now looking into the circumstances surrounding the fire, which is not an uncommon occurrence in Poland’s coal mining industry, where methane build-up has been known to lead to fires and explosive incidents in the past. The investigation aims to ascertain the specific cause of this latest tragedy and prevent similar incidents in the future.