The leak occurred when the two, who are described as “very experienced,” were working 830 meters underground in the Pniowek coal mine.
Eight of their colleagues were rescued, according to mining company JSW.
In the spring of 2022, a methane gas explosion in the same mine caused the death of 14 people.
Methane gas is formed during the decomposition of organic matter in oxygen-poor environments. The odorless and colorless gas is used as a vehicle fuel, among other things, but it is explosive and can cause asphyxiation at high concentrations.
