Up to 100 miners feared dead in Wyoming mine explosion

Wyoming, 16 August 1923 - As many as 100 miners are feared to be dead after a massive explosion at the Kemmemer Mine in the U.S. state of Wyoming on the 13th of August. 

With the rescue mission still ongoing, it is understood that 138 coal miners became trapped in the mine- shaft mine following an explosion that apparently caused a bow-out shot. The explosion was not followed by any fire, but as of yet only 35 of those trapped have been brought out alive, many of these having sought sanctuary in passage-ways or in isolated rooms.

However, the majority of those so far recovered were not fortunate and succumbed to suffocation beneath ground. In all, 95 have so far been reported dead with further fatalities expected.

The search for survivors is nevertheless still ongoing.  More than a hundred volunteers are helping with the rescue mission as crowds of women and children, including relatives of the explosion’s victims, stand around in groups at the head of the open mine shaft.  

 

 

Families gather at the scene of the explosion (Dean Anderson via Wikitree)

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]