Today the mine rescue workers built a 50 m ventilation pipe. This work is arduous and takes time. Compressed air is still being pumped into the mining pit. “Conditions are extremely difficult. In this part of the pit, the headroom is about 70 cm. Rubble has to be picked by hand. We are waiting for equipment with a spectrum camera to see what is happening in the roadway”, said Daniel Ozon, CEO of JSW and added: “We have not managed to locate any radio transmitters on the section penetrated up till now”.

The area where the miners may possibly be has been narrowed down. At present, there is a section of roughly 150 m from one side, and 125 m from the other side, still to be covered. The work progress is slower on account of the tough conditions. “Today I appointed a commission to investigate the circumstances of this event. I would like to state clearly that this is an atypical phenomenon in terms of its magnitude and the underground repercussions. The commission’s task is not to ascertain any possible cases of neglect. It is a technical commission that is to analyze, assess and check the parameters of the seismic phenomenon, the decline in tension, the focal points of the shock wave and the location”, said Adam Mirek, President of the High Mining Authority. Top experts are working in this commission. The commission’s work will make it possible to respond to the question on whether it will be possible to conduct mining operations in this region and possibly under what conditions. “I expect the commission I have appointed to formulate conclusions and recommendations for the future”, summed up Adam Mirek.

More information tomorrow after 9.