Hlobane Coal Mine Disaster (1944)
| Date | 12 September 1944 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Cause | Methane explosion |
| Deaths | 57 |
| Injuries | 6 |
A methane explosion killed 57 miners at the Hlobane Colliery, Natal, South Africa on 12 September 1944.[1] During drilling of a dyke in a coal seam, methane built up during the night due to insufficient ventilation in the mine.[1]
The explosion was said to have been caused by a miner relighting his lamp.[1] He was in charge of monitoring the methane levels and its high levels had extinguished his lamp.[1] The explosion resulted in the deaths of 57 miners and six serious injuries.[1]
On the 39th anniversary of the explosion in 1983, a similar explosion killed 68 miners at the same mine.[1]
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