Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 23, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
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Two workers died in a methane explosion at the Pniowek coal mine in Poland. Eight others evacuated safely. This marks the 15th mining fatality in Poland this year.
WARSAW, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Two workers were killed due to an outburst of methane and rock masses at the Pniowek coal mine in southern Poland, owner JSW said on Monday evening.
The company said that after 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Monday, a large amount of methane was released at the Pniowek mine, where a high-performance roadheader was operating with 10 workers underground.
Eight managed to evacuate on their own, while contact with two others was lost, JSW said. After a seven-hour rescue operation, teams located the missing miners who were pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor, the company said.
On Tuesday morning, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk offered condolences to the victims' families on X, while President Karol Nawrocki said he received the news of the miners' deaths "with great sorrow".
Polish Press Agency (PAP) said that the deaths were the 14th and 15th fatalities in mining accidents in Poland this year, and the 11th and 12th in hard coal mines. The Pniowek mine is among the country's operations with the highest methane risk, PAP reported.
(Reporting by Barbara Erling; Editing by Jamie Freed)
A mining accident refers to an unexpected event that occurs during mining operations, often resulting in injury or death to workers. These incidents can be caused by various factors, including equipment failure, explosions, or exposure to hazardous materials.
Methane is a colorless, odorless gas that is a primary component of natural gas. It is highly flammable and can be dangerous in mining environments, as it can lead to explosions if not properly managed.
Safety regulations in mining are laws and guidelines designed to protect workers from hazards associated with mining operations. These regulations cover various aspects, including equipment safety, emergency procedures, and worker training.
A rescue operation in mining is an organized effort to locate and assist miners who are trapped or injured underground. These operations often involve specialized teams and equipment to ensure the safety of both rescuers and trapped individuals.
A mining company is responsible for the extraction of minerals and resources from the earth. This includes managing operations, ensuring worker safety, and complying with environmental regulations.
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