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Polish mine blast 'kills eight' Polish mine blast 'kills eight'
(20 minutes later)
At least eight miners have been killed in a gas explosion at a coal mine in southern Poland, local TV has reported. At least eight miners have been killed and 15 are trapped after a gas explosion at a coal mine in southern Poland, officials say.
The explosion had trapped more than 20 miners a kilometre underground at the Halemba coal mine in Ruda Slaska, 300km (190 miles) south-west of Warsaw. The explosion took place one kilometre below ground at the Halemba coal mine in Ruda Slaska, 300km (190 miles) south-west of Warsaw.
Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski was said to be flying to the site to support the rescue work. Police have not yet confirmed the death toll. Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski was said to be flying to the site to support the rescue work.
An explosion at the same pit in 1990 killed 19 miners.An explosion at the same pit in 1990 killed 19 miners.
The Southern Mining Company said Tuesday's explosion at 1630 (1530 GMT) happened as workers were demolishing a wall.The Southern Mining Company said Tuesday's explosion at 1630 (1530 GMT) happened as workers were demolishing a wall.
Jan Sienkiewicz, spokesman for the Halemba mine, confirmed eight workers were dead.
Another company spokesman, Zbigniew Madej, told Reuters news agency: "We fear the worst for the others."
Families of those still trapped gathered at the pit head with officials and priests.Families of those still trapped gathered at the pit head with officials and priests.
The mine is in Silesia, the heartland of the Polish coal industry.The mine is in Silesia, the heartland of the Polish coal industry.
Unions have often complained of poor investment in the industry. More than 80 miners have died in the country since 2003.Unions have often complained of poor investment in the industry. More than 80 miners have died in the country since 2003.