  Approximate location of the Centralia mine disaster  1947 Centralia mine disaster (the United States) | |
| Date | March 25, 1947 |
|---|---|
| Location | Centralia No. 5 coal mine, Washington County section of Wamac, Illinois |
| Casualties | |
| 111 killed | |
| 31 survivors | |
On March 25, 1947, the Centralia No. 5 coal mine exploded near the town of Centralia, Illinois, killing 111 people.[1] The Mine Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor reported the explosion was caused when an underburdened shot or blown-out shot ignited coal dust. The US Department of Labor lists the disaster as the second worst US mining disaster since 1940 with a total of 111 men dead.[2]
- ^ United States Mine Rescue Association. "Centralia No. 5 Mine Explosion, Centralia, Illinois". Mine Disasters in the United States. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
- ^ Staff. "Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the United States - The six worst coal mine disasters, since 1940". United States Department of Labor/ Mine Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved December 12, 2022.