Nineteen people are missing following a methane explosion in a mine in Handlová, central Slovakia, on Monday, the Hornonitrianske bane mining company which owns the mine has confirmed.
Foto: Archive
Company spokeswoman Adriana Siváková reported that 9 miners were saved and taken to hospital with minor injuries, but no contact has been made with the 19 still missing in the mine.
Slovak TA3 TV reported that a fire broke out in the mine’s eastern shaft on Monday morning. Rescuers arrived at the scene and went about trying to rescue injured miners after which the explosion occurred. TA3 TV reported that it is likely that some emergency rescue staff were already in the mine at the time of explosion.
