Two men were killed on Tuesday in the village of Przewodów (Lubelskie Voivodeship) in an explosion caused by a stray missile. Who were the victims? "They were good, warm-hearted, and very helpful people," says the local parish priest, Father Bogdan Ważny. The two men worked at a local grain-dryin plant, where the blast took place. The police and prosecutor's office have not yet confirmed the identity of the victims.
The explosion in Przewodów happened around 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday. Two people were killed - they were two men who worked at the grain-drying facility. Deputy chairman of board, Federico Viola, told TVN24 that one of them was a tractor operator, whereas the other - a warehouse chief. So far, neither the local police nor the prosecutor's office have released any information in that regard.
Local resident: Józia's husband died. I cried
One of the local residents, a woman who works at the local school, heard the explosion caused by the missile. It turned out she works together with the wife of one the killed men. She told TVN24 how she found out about the tragic accident.
"I was returning from work with a friend whose husband was killed (in the explosion - edit.). I came back home, and so did she I think because we live in the same block and I heard a blast. I folded my hands and said: my God, what has happened. I ran outside and so did the girls, the neighbours," she said.
"We saw the smoke and thought maybe something happened at the drying plant. Nobody knew anything. I started to cry and went back inside. Only later a neighbour said to me: "listen, Józia's husband is dead". I cried," the woman added.
Everyone knows each other here
Przewodów is a small village of some 500 residents. The locals know each other here. Mariusz, who worked with the two men, told TVN24 that "they were great people, awesome friends. It's a tragedy, what more can I say".
"At first I didn't know what happened. I only saw a police car driving by, and then another one, and then my daughter called and said both of them were dead," he added.
"One of them lived in Przewodów, the other in Setniki. Both of them were very helpful. They helped the best they could, they would never refuse anyone in need," said another local resident.
Employer of the victims: they were very respected people
For 20 years the two men worked for Agrocom company in Setniki - a neighbouring village.
Deputy chairman of the Agrocom board, Federico Viola, told TVN24 that one of them was a tractor operator, whereas the other - a warehouse chief. "They were working. One came on a tractor and the other was simply supposed to weigh it ... and unfortunately it happened at that moment," he said.
"They were very respected people," Viola added. "It's a small community, everyone is devastated, and so are we today. We gave everyone a day off to let it sink in somehow."
"He had a heart of gold"
Dołhobyczów municipality secretary Stanisław Staszczuk said he knew one of the men killed in the explosion. "He had a heart of gold, incredibly kind, helpful, and sincere, a true personality. It's a huge tragedy. A trauma for the family and our whole community. We just can't believe what has happened, and that it happened here on our soil, and that these people are no longer with us. It's incredibly sad," he said.
Staszczuk said the man was helping refugees from Ukraine. "He was very engaged in helping. He would take his car and bring these people food and clothes."
He admitted the death of the man touched him deeply. "He was an incredible colleague of mine, a friend. This is also my personal tragedy."
Parish priest: it's a huge loss for the community
Local parish priest Father Bogdan Ważny told TVN24 that the local community was shaken after the tragedy. He added that the two men had been very involved in local affairs.
"I knew them personally. They were very kind and friendly. Actually everyone knew them well as it is a small community. They attended church and help a lot at the parish. We've recently done some renovation at the church and one these gentlemen personally worked here. Whenever I asked them for help, they never refused. Their death is a huge loss for us a community and parish," the priest said.
The parish is located only a few hundred metres from the place where the missile hit. Father Ważny said he had heard the blast on Tuesday afternoon. "It was very strong, I've never heard such a loud blast in my life. It seemed to me like it happened right behind the parsonage. I went outside to see what happened, but I couldn't see anything. Only later a parishioner came to me and told me what happened, that two people were dead," he added.
Three days of mourning
Dołhobyczów municipality mayor Grzegorz Drewnik announced three days of mourning - from Wednesday until Saturday, November 19. "We believe this is a necessary decision in this extraordinary situation," he said.
Drewnik added that national flags with black ribbons attached would fly at half mast. "We are also not planning any ceremonies or festivities," he added.
He also assured the families of the victims would receive full support.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, tvn24.pl