At least 13 people were killed and several others injured after a methane explosion at a mine in the east of the Czech Republic, according to the spokesman for the OKD mining company Ivo Celechovsky on Friday.
Among the 13 deceased, 11 were Polish and two Czech. The underground work in the shaft was suspended and the miners were evacuated shortly after the accident, said the spokesperson.
Rescue personnel prepare to search for missing miners after a methane explosion at the CSM hard coal mine in Karvina, the Czech Republic, December 20, 2018./ VCG Photo
The accident occurred at the CSM mine on Thursday afternoon in the city of Karvina, about 300 kilometers east of Prague.
Rescue and search missions are currently underway.