History Of Monongah Mining Accident: Worst In The US To Kills 361 People

Mining accident in Monongah, USA (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - A coal mine in Monongah, West Virginia, United States (US) owned by Fairmont Company exploded today, December 6, more than a century ago or in 1907. The mining accident that killed 361 people was one of the worst in US history.

The underground explosion occurred around 10 a.m. on that day as quoted by Bitannica. At the same time an even bigger explosion occurred in a separate area.

The destructiveness of the explosion is able to collapse into mine entrances and destroy ventilation systems. Because of this, poisonous gases accumulate on the mine shaft. This factor causes the death toll to reach hundreds of people.

No one knows for sure the cause of this disaster. Some speculate that sparks ignited the methane gas, which in turn ignited the highly flammable coal dust and then spread the flames throughout the mining system.

Mining town

Citing History, in 1883, the creation of the Norfolk and West Railways opened the gates to the untapped coal fields of West Virginia. It led European and African-American immigrants to flock there in search of new livelihoods.

In the late 19th century, West Virginia, now the national leader in coal production, lagged far behind other major coal producing nations in regulating mining conditions.

This can be seen from the deteriorating economic conditions in West Virginia. Plus the region has a higher death rate from mining than any other state.

Recorded, nationally, 3,242 Americans were killed in mining accidents in 1907. This led the US mining workers union and legislators to push for safety regulations. As a result, the reduction in the death rate in West Virginia can be suppressed.