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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Polish mine blast 'kills eight' | Polish mine blast 'kills eight' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| At least eight miners have been killed and 15 are trapped after a gas explosion at a coal mine in southern Poland, officials say. | At least eight miners have been killed and 15 are trapped after a gas explosion at a coal mine in southern Poland, officials say. |
| The explosion took place one kilometre below ground at the Halemba coal mine in Ruda Slaska, 300km (190 miles) south-west of Warsaw. | The explosion took place one kilometre below ground at the Halemba coal mine in Ruda Slaska, 300km (190 miles) south-west of Warsaw. |
| Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has flown to the site of the blast to support the rescue work. | |
| An explosion at the same pit in 1990 killed 19 miners. | An explosion at the same pit in 1990 killed 19 miners. |
| Fear for those trapped | |
| The Southern Mining Company said Tuesday's explosion at 1630 (1530 GMT) happened as workers were demolishing a wall. | The Southern Mining Company said Tuesday's explosion at 1630 (1530 GMT) happened as workers were demolishing a wall. |
| Families of those still trapped gathered at the pit head with officials and priests. | Families of those still trapped gathered at the pit head with officials and priests. |
| The Halemba mine confirmed that eight workers were dead. | |
| Company spokesman Zbigniew Madej added: "We fear the worst for the others. The conditions down there are extreme. It is hell. | |
| "It is impossible to breathe in the area of the explosion, the ventilation has been destroyed." | |
| Prime Minister Kaczynski said: "We must still hold onto hope, but if the worst has happened, the families of the miners will receive the necessary aid." | |
| He said national mourning would be decreed. | |
| The mine is in Silesia, the heartland of the Polish coal industry. | The mine is in Silesia, the heartland of the Polish coal industry. |
| Unions have often complained of poor investment in the industry. More than 80 miners have died in the country since 2003. | Unions have often complained of poor investment in the industry. More than 80 miners have died in the country since 2003. |