CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Authorities have confirmed the tragic discovery of a coal miner's body early Thursday morning in the Rolling Thunder Mine, located near Belva, West Virginia. This incident follows a flooding that occurred last Saturday when a mining crew accidentally hit an unknown water pocket approximately three-quarters of a mile deep into the mine. The mine was subsequently flooded following the failure of an old wall, confirmed by Governor Patrick Morrisey.
Crews promptly initiated a search and rescue operation, employing dive teams and drilling holes to locate any air pockets in the water where the miner could have been trapped. Fortunately, more than a dozen other miners working in the same area were safely accounted for after this unfortunate event.
This incident marks a grim milestone as it is the third fatality reported at an Alpha Metallurgical facility in West Virginia this year. Previous fatalities included a contractor accident in February and a miner struck by an elevator in August, both in nearby Raleigh County, reflecting ongoing safety challenges in the mining sector.
The Rolling Thunder Mine is one of 11 underground mines managed by Alpha Metallurgical Resources in West Virginia and raises critical safety concerns regarding operational standards, especially after it was reported that a significant amount of historical data was reviewed before starting operations in the area.
As recovery efforts continue, the mining community and regulatory bodies are likely to reassess safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
Crews promptly initiated a search and rescue operation, employing dive teams and drilling holes to locate any air pockets in the water where the miner could have been trapped. Fortunately, more than a dozen other miners working in the same area were safely accounted for after this unfortunate event.
This incident marks a grim milestone as it is the third fatality reported at an Alpha Metallurgical facility in West Virginia this year. Previous fatalities included a contractor accident in February and a miner struck by an elevator in August, both in nearby Raleigh County, reflecting ongoing safety challenges in the mining sector.
The Rolling Thunder Mine is one of 11 underground mines managed by Alpha Metallurgical Resources in West Virginia and raises critical safety concerns regarding operational standards, especially after it was reported that a significant amount of historical data was reviewed before starting operations in the area.
As recovery efforts continue, the mining community and regulatory bodies are likely to reassess safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
