The 2009 Wujek-Śląsk mine blast occurred at the Wujek bituminous coal mine in Ruda Śląska, Poland on 18 September 2009. At least 20 miners were killed (12 died in coal mine, 8 in hospitals) and at least 37 more were hospitalised. It is the country's deadliest mining accident since the deaths of 23 miners from methane at the Silesia's Halemba mine in November 2006.[1][2]
Incident edit
The incident happened approximately 1 kilometer below surface level.[2] Around 40 people were underground at the time of the blast.[3] Twenty-nine made it out themselves but the rest had to be assisted.[2][4] Emergency services ferried the casualties to the nearest hospitals.[3] Eighteen were hospitalised at a burns specialist unit in Siemianowice Śląskie; six were hospitalised at Sosnowiec where family members collected outside in an upset manner.[3] Some of the deaths came quickly, whilst more did not die until some time later.[2] Deaths were caused by burns, some of 90 degree proportions, with burns sustained to the respiratory tract.[2][3] Many will require psychological assistance as well if they are to fully recover from the incident.[3] Production was stopped but the rest of the mine remained in operation.[2][4] The fire was quenched.[3] The probable cause is thought to be methane ignition.[2][4]
Investigation edit
An investigation into the incident was quickly launched.[3] Then-President of Poland Lech Kaczyński expressed his regrets: "On behalf of all Poles I convey the closest family members our sympathy and solidarity and join them in prayer and pain. I wish all the injured a quick return to health".[3] Polish Minister of Interior and Administration, Grzegorz Schetyna, alongside a deputy minister of economy,[4] greeted the families of those who died by visiting the region after the blast.[2] Two days of national mourning commenced at 06:00 on 21 September 2009;[1] flags were flown at half-mast.[1] Several pre-scheduled events were called off as result of the disaster.[1]
List of victims edit
- Zdzisław Batorski (43)
- Marek Bojsza (37)
- Janusz Cebula (45)
- Roman Cłapka (40)
- Roman Czarnecki (48)
- Marek Ćmiel (43)
- Zbigniew Garbacz (48)
- Cezary Goszczycki (39)
- Dariusz Grzegorzek (40)
- Michał Heince (43)
- Szymon Korzeniowski (24)
- Tomasz Kurek (44)
- Teodor Ledwoń (45)
- Lucjan Manjura (40)
- Jacek Nowakowski (36)
- Anastazy Podlaszewski (38)
- Sebastian Smyk (30)
- Adrian Świętek (21)
- Rafał Wcisło (22)
- Adam Wiśniowski (38)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d "State mourning for Poland miners". BBC. 2009-09-19. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Deaths in Polish mine explosion". Al Jazeera. 2009-09-18. Archived from the original on 19 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Polish coal miners killed in methane explosion". Canada.com. 2009-09-18. Retrieved 2009-09-19.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Polish mine explosion kills 12". The Irish Times. 2009-09-18. Retrieved 2009-09-19.