Current:Home > NewsCrews begin removing debris amid ongoing search for worker trapped after Kentucky mine collapse -Thrive Financial Network
Crews begin removing debris amid ongoing search for worker trapped after Kentucky mine collapse
View
Date:2025-04-15 17:30:08
Crews began the arduous process of removing layers of rubble and debris in the search for a missing worker Thursday at a collapsed coal mine preparation plant in eastern Kentucky where a second worker died.
The 11-story abandoned building crashed down Tuesday night at the Martin Mine Prep Plant in Martin County while it was undergoing work toward its demolition. Officials briefly made contact with one of the two men working inside, but announced Wednesday he died amid rescue efforts. Authorities said Thursday they have not had any communication with the second worker since the building collapsed at around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Inez, a town of about 500 people.
“We haven’t given up hope,” Martin County Judge Executive Lon Lafferty said at a news conference with reporters Thursday.
Lafferty said a family member of the deceased man was at the site before he died and was able to speak with him. Crews have located his remains, but have not yet been able to remove them.
Lafferty said the process has taken a mental and physical toll on rescue workers, calling them “the most mentally strong and emotionally strong people, the bravest people” he’s ever known.
“To go underneath a structure like that and risk your own life to try to secure someone else’s life I think is one of the greatest attributes of the human spirit,” he said, adding: “You can’t be involved in something like this and not have emotions about it.”
Crews have delved under layers of steel and concrete with search dogs and listening devices, he said. In the second full day of rescue efforts, officials are removing the debris into smaller piles for the search.
Heavy equipment is being hauled to Inez from across Kentucky and out-of-state to help with the efforts. Louisville Metro Emergency Services Director Jody Meiman said some began arriving on the site Wednesday night. Search groups have been assigned to comb through rubble as it is removed.
“It’s a very methodical process, it’s a very slow process, but it’s a process that has to take place in order to get down into the building in where that last known location was,” he said.
He said responders were being rotated in shifts. Meiman said the building moved several times Wednesday.
“It is dangerous. It continues to be dangerous,” he said.
Director of Kentucky Emergency Management Col. Jeremy Slinker said rescuers worked throughout Wednesday night without breaks. Slinker estimated that up to 50 rescue workers and 25 support personnel at a time were involved in the search.
“We’re planning it out for a long operation and what we hope is we have some happy success really quick,” he said.
Several state agencies have begun investigations into the collapse and possible causes, including Kentucky state police.
The Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance said one of its officers was on site and that an inspection had been opened with Lexington Coal Company LLC, which had contracted with Skeens Enterprises LLC for site demolition and salvage operations.
The division said the investigation could take up to six months to complete.
President Lyndon Johnson visited Inez during his “War On Poverty” in 1964.
In 2000, a coal-sludge impoundment in Inez collapsed, sending an estimated 300 million gallons into the Big Sandy River and its tributaries. A byproduct of purifying coal, the sludge oozed into yards and streams for miles in what was considered one of the South’s worst environmental disasters at the time.
veryGood! (87341)
Related
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- 'The Summit' Episode 3: Which player's journey in New Zealand was cut short?
- Bella Hadid Makes Angelic Return to Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
- Mega Millions winning numbers for October 15 drawing: Did anyone win $169 million jackpot?
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Michigan is paying $13M after shooter drill terrified psychiatric hospital for kids
- The son of a South Carolina inmate urges the governor to save his father from execution
- Republicans challenge more than 63,000 voters in Georgia, but few removed, AP finds
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Navy parachutist crash lands on mother and daughter during San Francisco Fleet Week
Ranking
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Breanna Stewart and her wife Marta Xargay receive homophobic threats after Game 1 of WNBA Finals
- Mexico vs. USMNT live updates, highlights: Cesar Huerta, Raul Jimenez have El Tri in lead
- Off-duty Detroit officer fatally shot after wounding 2 fellow officers, chief says
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Voting rights groups seek investigation into Wisconsin text message
- Sydney Sweeney Looks Unrecognizable in Transformation as Boxing Champ Christy Martin
- Breanna Stewart and her wife Marta Xargay receive homophobic threats after Game 1 of WNBA Finals
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Navajo leader calls for tribal vice president’s resignation amid political upheaval
What’s behind the widening gender wage gap in the US?
When do new episodes of 'The Lincoln Lawyer' come out? Season 3 release date, cast, how to watch
Small twin
Protesters demand Kellogg remove artificial colors from Froot Loops and other cereals
Zendaya's Stylist Law Roach Reacts to 2025 Met Gala Theme
Mike Tyson brought in three familiar sparring partners in preparation for Jake Paul