Dark day in mining history marks the 20th anniversary of the Sago explosion

Friday marks the 20th anniversary of one of the deadliest coal disasters in West Virginia’s history.

That’s when 12 miners died from injuries sustained in an explosion at an operation in Sago owned by Anker Mining. Federal mine officials determined a lightning strike from a passing thunderstorm made ground contact and ignited methane from the mine, according to published reports.

After the explosion, 14 miners were able to make their way out of the mine but trapped 13 miners underground. Only one of them survived.

(IMAGE: Property of US Department of Labor / Mine Safety and Health Administration)