“No one is alone,” said PM Tusk as he promised help to the families of the 12 miners who died after methane gas ignited at the Wujek-Slask colliery in Silesia, Friday

The prime minister, who flew to the area from Brussels yesterday, offered condolences to those affected by the accident, which has left 19 in hospital in a “serious but stable” condition say hospital staff at the Burns Unit in Siemianowice, Slask.

President Lech Kaczynski has also sent condolences to the families of the victims. "With deep sorrow I received the information about the victims of the tragedy Wujek colliery[…] There are no words that, in such a situation, can give solace to the families. On behalf of all Poles I convey our sympathy and solidarity, and I join in your prayer and pain,” says a statement on the president’s web site.

On Saturday, President Kaczynski is expected to call for a period of national mourning.

According to preliminary reports the cause of the accident was a build up of methane gas in the shaft, 1000 metres below ground where the miners were working.

Prime Minister Tusk promised a full investigation into the cause of the fire. Prosecutors are looking into allegations that gas censors were faulty and did not detect the build up of methane. Tusk that if human error was to blame for the tragedy then: "If they find the person responsible for the catastrophe, then they will be shown no mercy," he said.

At the time of the explosion, 40 miners were working underground. One miner, who was taken to a hospital in Leczna near Lublin, has 80 percent burns, Doctor Krzysztof Bojarski, told Radio Lublin.

Four Air Rescue helicopters, from Gliwice, Krakow, Kielce and Wroclaw took part in rescue operations, taking the injured to nearby hospitals. (pg)