Poland: Rescue operation ongoing after tremor traps miner in Bytom mine

Rescue teams are working to locate a miner trapped underground after a seismic tremor at the Eko-Plus private mine in Bytom, Poland. The seismic threat in the mine has decreased, allowing rescuers to begin searching the excavation where the miner has been missing since the afternoon tremor. The miner has not been in contact since the incident. Eight other miners who were in the affected area, located 650 meters below ground, managed to withdraw on their own. Two of these miners sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital for observation. One suffered a head injury, and the other a leg injury. A third miner chose to return home. A helicopter from the Air Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene but was later recalled when it became clear the rescue would take time. The strong tremor occurred Wednesday afternoon. Initially, nine miners were in the hazardous zone. Due to persistent seismic activity, rescuers were unable to enter the area for several hours. The passage where the miner is believed to be located was deformed by the tremor, reducing its cross-section, but it remains passable. Colleagues last saw the missing miner about 20-25 meters from the excavation face.

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At 9:00 PM, the threat decreased, and a team went out to penetrate the area. That is the situation at the moment.