13 miners feared dead in Alabama

Associated Press

BROOKWOOD, Ala. — Four miners died and nine who rushed in to help were missing and feared dead after explosions rocked the nation’s deepest coal mine.

If the deaths of all 13 miners are confirmed, it would be the worst mining accident in the United States since 1984.

"These great acts of unselfishness are eerily reminiscent of the heroes of our Sept. 11 national tragedy," said Don DeFosset, chief executive officer of Walter Industries, which owns the mine and its operator, Jim Walter Resources Inc. "These men gave their lives to help others, just as the firefighters and police of New York did nearly two weeks ago."

Three of the dead and the nine missing remained more than 2,000 feet underground at Blue Creek No. 5 mine, company officials said.

DeFosset said there was an explosion at about 5:15 p.m. Sunday after a cave-in hit electrical equipment and ignited methane gas. At the time, 32 people were in the mine, six of them in the area of the explosion. Three of the six escaped and were hospitalized in stable condition. The other three were left more than three miles from the main elevator, DeFosset said.

Ten miners went to rescue them, but something sparked a second, larger explosion about 45 minutes after the first, DeFosset said. One of 10 miners who went in to rescue others was brought out but died at a hospital.

A second wave of rescue workers went into the mine and worked through the night but were unable to reach the area because of fires and methane gas, which is common in coal seams. Company officials said fires still burned Monday, and it was uncertain when a team would search again.

If the deaths are confirmed, it would be the worst loss of life since Dec. 19, 1984, when a faulty air compressor started a fire that killed 27 coal miners near Orangeville, Utah.

The Alabama mine is the deepest vertical shaft coal mine in North America, with operations at 2,140 feet beneath the surface, the company says. The mine employs 402 people.

Nearly all of the 1,500 residents of Brookwood work in a mine or have relatives or friends who do.

"We’ve never had anything like this happen before," said Linda Barger, the town clerk. "There are a lot of children who are going to be affected."

The mine, which opened in 1978, produces low-sulfur coal that is burned in power plants and in metallurgical operations.

The No. 5 Mine was also the site of a blast in 1993 in which four workers were seriously burned.

It was closed in 1995 after "hot spots," or areas of spontaneous heating, were found in part of the mine.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.