Efforts Continue To Free Miners

Emergency services are continuing their rescue operation to reach a miner trapped around 300ft underground at the Gleision Colliery near Pontardawe, Wales, but have confirmed three of his colleagues have been found dead.

Police have yet to identify the dead miners, who are three of the four men believed to be stuck in the flooded mine.

It is thought that the incident in the mine was caused on Thursday (September 15th), when a retaining wall holding back water underground failed. Seven men in total were working in the area, but three were able to escape.

Any full investigation into what happened at the mine has been delayed while the rescue operation continues.

Commenting on the incident, David Urpeth, national head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This is undoubtedly an awful incident and one that is likely to raise many questions in relation to the safety of mines in general.

“While the fundamental priority at present is ensuring the safe return of the unaccounted-for miner to the surface, there is bound to be a major investigation afterwards into what happened and how the same problems can be avoided in the future.

“We hope that any lessons which can be learnt from this case will ensure other workers may be protected in the future.”

“Our thoughts are with the families of all of those affected by this terrible incident.”