Rescue attempt underway in mine explosion

The explosion took place one kilometer below the surface at 4:30 pm, yesterday. By midnight it was apparent that eight miners had been killed. Rescuers were trying to reach the remaining fifteen but their fate was still unknown. Zbigniew Madej, a spokesman for the mine's owner, Kompania Weglowa, admitted that the situation was critical. "The atmosphere in the area of the accident is unsuitable for breathing, since the explosion destroyed the ventilation tunnel," he revealed. Madej added that "The situation is very serious but as we always say hope dies last. We believe we will reach those miners, this is our deep conviction." (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 1, www.gazeta.pl) E.B.