Earth Swallows Miners Again - 27 Miners Trapped Mine Disaster

The Worst Mining Accident in the 21st Century

On May 13, 2014, 301 people died in the Soma mine disaster in Turkey. An explosion ripped through the coal mine, causing an underground fire that burned for two days. 787 people were in the mine at the time of the explosion. The rescue ended on May 17 when the last of the lost miners was recovered. Miners protested the dangerous mining conditions since 2013.

Just 106 days after the the mining disaster in Chile, 29 miners lost in New Zealand

If you haven't heard, the Earth has swallowed another group of miners. This time in New Zealand (Nov 19, 2010 — Pike River Mine disaster). The tragedy and rescue of the trapped Chilean miners is fresh in our global consciousness.

This methane gas explosion in New Zealand was the third mining disaster of 2010. The first mining disaster of the year occurred April 5, in West Virgina, United States. (Upper Big Branch Mine disaster). 29 miners died.

The Chilean miners (Aug 2, 2010 — 2010 Copiapó mining accident) arrived this week in Los Angeles, California for a "heroes tour". The miners, having survived 69 days in a Chilean mine, toured Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard in buses Thursday, receiving cheers and a hero's welcome from passersby in the the street. Hopefully they will survive the ensuing media coverage. I am very happy for their rescue. The movie, The 33, really opened my eyes to what they had to deal with while waiting to be saved.

Chilian miners story told in a movie

The 33 (2015) staring Antonio Banderas and Cote de Pablo

In New Zealand, 27 miners were trapped Friday after an explosion in a Pike River Coal Company mine. A day later, fear for the fate of the trapped miners grows. Rescuers are currently waiting on air quality test before they enter the mine.

"Pike River Coal plans to drill a six-inch (15 centimeter) shaft as much as 150 meters from the surface into one of the mine tunnels to gather air samples, a process that may take as many as 16 hours. Sampling equipment will be lowered into a ventilation shaft as the company looks for an opportunity to send in rescue teams."

From Wikipedia:

"Mining accidents can have a variety of causes, including leaks of poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulfide or explosive natural gases, especially firedamp or methane, dust explosions, collapsing of mine slopes, mining-induced seismicity, flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment (such as safety lamps or electrical equipment). Use of improper explosives underground can also trigger methane and coal dust explosions."

Worst US Mine Disasters

The United States Mine Rescue Administration keeps historical data on mine disasters in the United States. In April of 2010, an explosion killed 29 Massey Energy Company miners in Upper Big Branch Mine. It was the nation's worst mine disaster in four decades. Mining accidents have killed 228 Americans since 1980.

"In the United States, mine accidents have declined dramatically because of decades of research, technology and preventive programs" New York Times

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