8.02.2025
End of the rescue operation in the Szczygłowice Section
The rescue operation at the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine, Szczygłowice Section, which began on 22 January after methane ignited in the area of longwall XVII, seams 405/1 and 405/3, at the 1050 m level, ended today at 1:30 p.m. There were 45 workers in the affected area. Seventeen of the injured were taken to hospitals, four of whom unfortunately died.
As part of the rescue operation, the affected area was isolated from the rest of the plant by building six explosion-proof plugs (isolation stoppings). After they were built and checked for leaks, the rescue operation was terminated.
The length of the pits in the isolated area space is 7.4 kilometers. The conditions in the area are monitored with chromatographic lines that continuously measure the concentration of methane, oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, among others.
The rescue campaign was conducted with the participation of representatives of the Central Mining Rescue Station (CSRG) and under constant supervision of the Regional Mining Authority (OUG) in Rybnik. During the course of the operation, the plan for eliminating the fire hazard was updated on an ongoing basis and reviewed at meetings of an advisory team expanded to include specialists.
Almost 600 rescue teams from Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa mines, the Central Mining Rescue Service Station and Polska Grupa Górnicza took part in the operation.
The causes of the accident are being investigated by the State Mining Authority, the District Mining Authority in Rybnik, the State Labour Inspectorate and the District Prosecutor's Office in Gliwice.
30.01.2025
Fourth victim of the accident
A miner treated after the methane fire at the Szczygłowice Section died at the Burn Treatment Center in Siemianowice Śląskie. This is the fourth victim of the accident. He was 42 years old and had worked at the Szczygłowice Section for thirteen years.
Eight employees remain at the hospitals in Kraków and Siemianowice Śląskie: two in Kraków and six in Siemianowice Śląskie. Mine management is in contact with the families of the injured miners. They were also provided with psychological care. Employees of the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine can also benefit from professional psychological assistance.
We extend our deepest sympathy and words of comfort to the miner’s family and loved ones - Employees, Management and Supervisory Board of JSW SA.
25.01.2025
Three victims of the accident (Update)
The casualty tally has risen after the accident at the Szczygłowice Section. Two miners died at the Burn Treatment Center in Siemianowice Śląskie on Saturday: a 31-year-old and a 28-year-old.
We extend our deepest sympathy and words of comfort to the miner’s family and loved ones - Employees, Management and Supervisory Board of JSW SA.
24.01.2025
Five miners left hospital
Five people injured in the accident have already left hospitals in Rybnik, Knurów and Gliwice. Nine miners with burns to the body and respiratory tract are still in the Burn Treatment Center in Siemianowice Śląskie. Two more people are being treated at a hospital in Kraków.
24.01.2025
Secondment of employees
For safety reasons - for the duration of the operation to isolate the endangered area of longwall XVII in seam 405/1 - some employees of the Szczygłowice Section were seconded to work in the Knurów Section, which is part of the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine and the Budryk mine. In the Szczygłowice Section, a rescue operation is still underway to build explosion-proof stoppings isolating the endangered area. So far, a total of 72 rescue teams from Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa mines, the Central Mining Rescue Service Station and Polska Grupa Górnicza have taken part in the operation. After the completion of activities related to the ongoing operation the seconded employees will return to their work stations in the Szczygłowice Section.
23.01.2025
Death of a miner
A worker injured in an accident that occurred yesterday (22 January) at the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine, Szczygłowice Section, died in a hospital in Siemianowice Śląskie. He was a shift foreman who worked at the Szczygłowice Section for 17 years. Since yesterday's incident, he was in the Burn Treatment Center in Siemianowice Śląskie, where he died as a result of his injuries.
We extend our deepest sympathy and words of comfort to the miner’s family and loved ones - Employees, Management and Supervisory Board of JSW SA.
23.01.2025
Isolation of the affected area is underway
As a result of yesterday's methane combustion in the longwall area, an increase in fire concentrations indicating an ongoing fire hazard persists. An operation is underway to seal off and isolate the threatened area. Explosion-proof stoppings are being constructed in designated workings. After a detailed analysis, the rescue command center and the operation manager have determined the danger zone and the locations for the installation of the explosion-proof structure, the so-called explosion-proof plugs. The zone will cover and exclude from operation the longwall where the methane ignited and the workings in the immediate vicinity.
22.01.2025
Rescue operation in Szczygłowice Section
A methane fire broke out in the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine, Szczygłowice Section, in the morning on Wednesday (22 January). There were 44 workers in the affected area, all of whom were withdrawn and transported to the surface. As a result of the incident, 16 people were injured.
“We launched a rescue operation, which first involved withdrawing workers from the area at risk and taking care of the most injured at the medical point in the mine. The next stage of the rescue operation will be to take action in the affected area itself," said Adam Rozmus, Vice-President of the JSW Management Board for Technical and Operational Matters.
A total of 16 people were given medical attention, and the most injured workers were transported to specialized hospitals in Siemianowice Śląskie, Gliwice, Rybnik, Knurów and Kraków, among others. There, their injuries will be accurately diagnosed. The causes of the incident are being investigated by the State Mining Authority, the District Mining Authority, the State Labour Inspectorate and the employer's services.
The incident occurred in longwall XVII, seam 405/1, below the 850m level.
