this is in the next valley over from where i live.
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A major rescue operation is under way after four miners became trapped in a flooded colliery.
Three other staff managed to escape from the Gleision Colliery in Pontardawe, near Swansea. Police, fire and ambulance crews are at the scene and anxious families are being kept informed at a nearby community centre.
Superintendent Phil Davies said emergency services are involved in what he described as a "difficult rescue operation" at the small private hillside mine, which has been in operation since 1993.
He said one of the miners who escaped is being treated in hospital but the other two are giving rescuers "a lot of information about what has happened".
He said: "There is not a blockage issue in the mine, it is a water issue which we are currently trying to drain. We are dealing with a difficult rescue operation but we are doing everything possible." He said the emergency services are co-ordinating efforts and everything necessary is being done.
Superintendent Davies said a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident would be jointly undertaken by police and the Health and Safety Executive when the situation was resolved.
In a statement, First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: "My main priority and the priority of my government is to ensure that those trapped are rescued as quickly and as safely as possible. All emergency services are at the scene - and they are being supported by specialist rescue teams from across the UK."
Mr Jones confirmed that the injured man who was taken to hospital is in a "critical condition", and it is not yet known how the disaster occurred.
"We know that water is ingressing into the mine. The mine itself is underneath quite a steep slope near the River Tawe," he added. "Nevertheless, we know the emergency services are working very hard and we know the mine is in a difficult position to reach."
Meanwhile, South Wales Police said a dedicated telephone line has been set up for members of the public to contact if they are concerned that relatives may have been involved in the accident. The number is 01792 555565.
Rescuers hopeful for trapped miners - UK News - MSN News UK
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A major rescue operation is under way after four miners became trapped in a flooded colliery.
Three other staff managed to escape from the Gleision Colliery in Pontardawe, near Swansea. Police, fire and ambulance crews are at the scene and anxious families are being kept informed at a nearby community centre.
Superintendent Phil Davies said emergency services are involved in what he described as a "difficult rescue operation" at the small private hillside mine, which has been in operation since 1993.
He said one of the miners who escaped is being treated in hospital but the other two are giving rescuers "a lot of information about what has happened".
He said: "There is not a blockage issue in the mine, it is a water issue which we are currently trying to drain. We are dealing with a difficult rescue operation but we are doing everything possible." He said the emergency services are co-ordinating efforts and everything necessary is being done.
Superintendent Davies said a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident would be jointly undertaken by police and the Health and Safety Executive when the situation was resolved.
In a statement, First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: "My main priority and the priority of my government is to ensure that those trapped are rescued as quickly and as safely as possible. All emergency services are at the scene - and they are being supported by specialist rescue teams from across the UK."
Mr Jones confirmed that the injured man who was taken to hospital is in a "critical condition", and it is not yet known how the disaster occurred.
"We know that water is ingressing into the mine. The mine itself is underneath quite a steep slope near the River Tawe," he added. "Nevertheless, we know the emergency services are working very hard and we know the mine is in a difficult position to reach."
Meanwhile, South Wales Police said a dedicated telephone line has been set up for members of the public to contact if they are concerned that relatives may have been involved in the accident. The number is 01792 555565.
Rescuers hopeful for trapped miners - UK News - MSN News UK
