A serious technical failure at the Trepça mining complex has left 18 miners trapped underground following a major power outage in the early hours of May 14, 2026.
The “Trepça Sh.A.” enterprise confirmed that the incident began around 1:30 AM due to a critical defect in the 35 kV power line supplying the Stan Tërg Flotation Unit.
Technical Failure and Initial Response
According to the company, a conductor line snapped at the entrance of the flotation substation. The surge damaged the insulation and caused a fire in the transformer that supplies electricity to the facility. Several other pieces of electrical equipment were also reportedly damaged.
At the time of the failure, 47 workers from the third shift (which started at 11:00 PM on May 13) were working deep inside the mine.
Current Status: 18 Still Inside
The enterprise has provided a breakdown of the ongoing evacuation efforts:
- Total Workers at Risk: 47
- Successfully Evacuated: 29 miners have already reached the surface.
- Currently Trapped: 18 miners remain underground at this hour.
Safety and Rescue Efforts
Trepça management has issued a reassuring update regarding the health of the remaining workers.
“All workers are in a safe condition. Technical teams and rescue squads have been mobilized and are on the ground to remediate the situation and restore the power supply as quickly as possible,” the company stated.
Officials expect the remaining 18 miners to be safely evacuated within a two-hour window. Rescue teams are currently utilizing emergency protocols to bring the miners to the surface while electricians work to bypass the damaged transformer and stabilize the grid.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges regarding aging infrastructure at the historic Trepça complex, which remains a vital but high-risk cornerstone of the Kosovar economy.
