The world’s worst coal mining disasters
The world’s worst coal mining disasters While technological improvements and stricter safety regulations have reduced coal mining related deaths, accidents are still too common. China, which produces more than one-third of annual global coal output, accounts for more than two-thirds of mining deaths around the world each year. Mining-Technology profiles major coal mine disasters around the world. Benxihu Colliery Disaster (1942) – China The Benxihu colliery disaster in China cost 1,549 lives and is believed to be the worst coal mining disaster ever. The tragedy occurred on 26 April 1942 in the Honkeiko coal mine, located near Benxi in the Liaoning province of China. The fatal explosion of the underground coal mine was caused by a mixture of gas and coal dust. The underground fire exploded out of the mine shaft entrance. The ventilation system was shut off and the pit head was sealed by the mine operator to deprive the underground of oxygen. An electric fen...