The toll of some explosions due to methane gas in a Pniowek coal mine in Pawlowice, in the south of the country, operated by the mining company JSW (Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa), has worsened to 4 dead, 19 injured and 7 missing in Poland. The explosions occurred about a thousand meters underground. Officials of the JSW itself report that the rescue operation of 13 units of rescuers had to be stopped due to a fire. The mine authorities report that contact with 7 rescuers was lost during the operation.
Doctors at the Siemianowice Slaskie hospital, which specializes in treating burns, reported that some of the injured were life threatening and that they suffered burns to their lungs and much of their body. Poland relies on its own and imported coal for nearly 70% of its energy, prompting criticism from the European Union and environmental organizations concerned about climate change. The government recently announced that it will end Russian coal imports by May.