Latest Mining accidents News
Death toll in Poland coal mine fire rises to 3
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The death toll in a coal mine fire this week in southern Poland rose to three on Saturday, hospital authorities said. The victims were among 16 miners injured at the Knurow-Szczyglowice coal mine Wednesday, when methane gas ignited about 850 meters (2,800...
One miner dies and 15 others injured after methane fire at a coal mine in Poland
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A coal miner has died following a fire at a colliery in southern Poland, hospital authorities said Thursday. The victim was among 16 miners hurt at the Knurow-Szczyglowice colliery Wednesday when methane ignited some 850 meters (2,800 feet) below ground...
16 suffer burns, injuries in methane fire at a coal mine in Poland
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Doctors said Wednesday that 16 coal miners have suffered burns and injuries from a methane gas fire at a coal mine in southern Poland. Lukasz Pach, head of the regional ambulance service in Katowice, said 14 of those injured have been hospitalized. ...
The rescue of hundreds of miners in a deep South African gold mine began with a camera and a note
CARLETONVILLE, South Africa (AP) — A specialized camera was lowered late last year into an almost 2.6-kilometer- (1.6-mile-) deep mineshaft in South Africa where hundreds of miners were reported to be trapped, starving, dehydrated and desperate to get out. With no architectural...
Coal mine accident in Slovenia kills at least 1 miner, leaves 2 missing
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — An accident in a coal mine in northeastern Slovenia killed at least one miner and left two others missing, officials said Tuesday. Water suddenly rushed into the mine in the town of Velenje on Monday evening, officials and media said. Most miners managed...
Illegal mining ringleader escaped during South Africa disaster with help from officers, police say
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A suspected illegal gold mining ringleader known as “Tiger” escaped from custody with help from police officers after resurfacing last week from a disused mine in South Africa where dozens of miners died and 246 were rescued, authorities said Monday. Police...
Ghana soldiers kill at least 7 people described as illegal gold miners
ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Soldiers killed at least seven people at a gold mine in southern Ghana, the West African country's military said. Ghana’s armed forces said Sunday in a statement on X that around 60 “illegal miners” carrying locally manufactured rifles and other weapons...
South African miner describes horrors for those who spent months underground
STILFONTEIN, South Africa. (AP) — Dozens of men sat and lay together in small caves, some so shallow they couldn’t stand up. The air was wet and stuffy, and wracking coughs echoed in the confined space. Bodies wrapped in fabric and twine were set aside in rows nearby. Bad odors...
Why did 87 miners die trapped underground in South Africa as police tried to force their surrender?
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa's president is facing calls to order an inquiry into a police operation that was meant to combat illegal mining but ended up leaving 87 miners to die underground as authorities attempted to force them to surrender during a monthslong standoff. ...
Standoff in South Africa ends with 87 miners dead and anger over police's 'smoke them out' tactics
STILFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) — The death toll in a monthslong standoff between police and miners trapped while working illegally in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa has risen to at least 87, police said Thursday. Authorities faced growing anger and a possible investigation over their...
