Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Poland explosion: Four children among eight killed at ski resort

Blast may have been caused by hole drilled into installation

Pawel Florkiewicz
Thursday 05 December 2019 16:14 GMT
Comments
Kleszczewski: ‘It is a very difficult operation. I don’t remember such a high number of casualties in a gas explosion’
Kleszczewski: ‘It is a very difficult operation. I don’t remember such a high number of casualties in a gas explosion’ (Radio Bielsko/ Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Eight people were killed when a three-storey building in the southern Polish ski resort of Szczyrk collapsed on Wednesday following a gas explosion, local authorities have said.

The bodies of four children and four adults, most likely from two families, have been found in the rubble, authorities said.

Roughly 200 people, including fire fighters and police, took part in the rescue efforts.

The search operation would be scaled down on Thursday, officials said, with heavy machinery brought in to sift through the rubble.

It was not expected that more victims would be found.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“It is a very difficult operation. I don't remember such a high number of casualties in a gas explosion,” Jacek Kleszczewski, a regional fire fighters' chief, said.

A local gas utility said the explosion was likely caused by a hole drilled into an installation.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in