One miner dead after underground tremor at Eko-Plus coal mine in Bytom, two hospitalised
A Wednesday afternoon tremor at the private Eko-Plus mine in Bytom left one miner dead and two hospitalised, after rescuers spent hours waiting for seismic activity to subside before reaching the worker 650 metres underground.
Underground tremor
A strong tremor struck the private Eko-Plus coal mine in Bytom on Wednesday afternoon. Nine miners were in the danger zone, 650 metres below the surface. Eight of them withdrew under their own power, while one remained trapped in a roadway. Contact with the missing worker could not be established. Three miners were injured; medical services examined them at the surface. Two were taken to hospital (one with a head injury, the other with a thigh injury), while the third returned home after treatment.
Both were in good condition.
Rescue delayed by seismic activity
Seismic activity remained high for several hours, preventing rescue teams from leaving their base and entering the affected area. Around 16:00 the Central Mining Rescue Station (CSRG) dispatched two specialist rescue squads and measurement services, but they were forced to wait. The rescue base was located more than 200 metres from the spot where the missing miner was believed to be. Colleagues had last seen him about 20–25 metres from the working face. Although the roadway was deformed by the tremor, it remained passable.
We are waiting for the danger to subside, because the rock mass is constantly working and posing a threat.
Fatal discovery
Shortly after 21:00 the seismic threat subsided, allowing a rescue squad to begin searching the workings. The missing miner was located, but rescuers found no vital signs. The operation had a tragic conclusion.
- Powerful tremor strikes 650 m underground; nine miners in danger zone, eight withdraw unassisted.
- CSRG dispatches two specialist rescue teams and measurement services to the mine.
- Seismic threat subsides; rescue squad begins searching the roadway.
Mine and seismic risk
Eko-Plus is one of only two private coal mines in Poland with domestic capital. It has operated since 2010, exploiting deposits from the former Powstańców Śląskich mine, and employs close to 400 people. Data from the State Mining Authority show that Polish hard-coal mines record around 1,500 high-energy tremors each year (magnitude above 1.7). Most produce no negative effects; the main cause is stress release in the rock mass due to coal extraction.
