For many, mining disasters are the kind of event you see happening in developing nations from the comfort of your living room. Most notably, China has in recent years lost thousands of miners due to poor health and safety regulations, and the desire to make a profit.
But as the events in West Virginia on 5 April show, mining is still a dangerous job no matter where you are. Following an explosion, at least 29 miners have been confirmed dead and four remain unaccounted for as rescue workers struggle with gas build-up inside the Upper Big Branch mine.
Between 1830 and 2000, 15,183 miners were killed in 716 separate accidents in the US. Here, we list the most tragic mining accidents to have hit the states in the last 100 years.
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