Three sentenced over 2009 Handlova deadly mine blast

A judge of Prievidza (Trencin region) District Court on Monday found three people guilty of negligence in the case of the deadly explosion in a coal mine in Handlova (Trencin region) in 2009, which claimed the lives of 20 people. People identified only as Ladislav H., Jozef T. and Dalibor R. were sentenced to several years in prison and banned from taking part in mining activities. The verdict is not binding, as both the prosecution and defendants are still able to appeal it.