HANDLOVÁ — 2009 · Major Tragedy
The Handlová Mine Explosion
On the morning of 10 August 2009 a fire in an old gallery about 330 metres underground at the Handlová coal mine was followed by a methane explosion. Twenty people were killed and nine injured. Among the dead were mine firefighters who had gone down to tackle self-igniting coal fires. Rescuers recovered the last body only days later. It was the deadliest mining accident in Slovakia since independence in 1993, and the following year parliament designated 10 August a day of remembrance for mining-accident victims.
- Date
- 2009
- Place
- Trenčín Region, Slovakia, Handlová, SK
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 48.7280, 18.7610 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 10 August 2009A methane explosion followed a fire in a gallery.
- August 2009National mourning was declared; rescue efforts lasted days.
- 2010Parliament made 10 August a day of remembrance for mining victims.
- Every yearA memorial ceremony is held in Handlová.
Sources
- Wikipedia — 2009 Handlová mine blast en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Rádio RSI — 2009 Handlová Mining Tragedy Commemorated enrsi.stvr.sk ↗
- The Slovak Spectator — Rescuers find last body in Handlová mine spectator.sme.sk ↗
- Wikipedia
- RSI (STVR)
- The Slovak Spectator
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.