US EditionA flood inside a coal mine in West Virginia has trapped a coal miner inside
Rescue teams use pumps and underwater drones in a complex operation to save a miner trapped after flooding caused by striking an unknown water pocket.
- On Saturday, a miner became trapped inside the Rolling Thunder coal mine near Drennen after crews struck an unknown pocket of water; the accident was reported to the Nicholas County emergency management department and all other miners were accounted for.
- After crews struck a hidden water pocket about three-quarters of a mile in, flooding began; West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said the compromised old mine wall let water rush into active workings.
- Rescue teams are pumping water and employing specialized underwater technology amid poor visibility and unstable conditions, while officials planned to deploy an underwater drone Sunday to map the flooded tunnels.
- Multiple state agencies including the Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training are coordinating with local emergency teams, Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc. is fully cooperating and supporting the family, while Nicholas County residents and the town of Drennen offer meals, housing, and logistical help.
- As of Sunday evening officials had not released the trapped miner's name and have not provided a timeline for reaching the flooded section as investigators reassess engineering findings amid unclear flooding extent.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Underwater Drone Deployed to Reach Trapped Miner in Flooded West Virginia Coal Mine – Knowhere News
Drennen, WV — Emergency crews are racing against time to locate a trapped miner deep inside a flooded section of the Rolling Thunder coal mine in Nicholas County. Officials said rescuers planned to deploy an underwater drone on Sunday in hopes of reaching the worker, who has been missing since a water pocket burst inside the mine. Sudden Flooding After Wall Collapse According to Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole, the flooding began Satur…
Update: Dive teams enter mine twice in search for missing Nicholas County coal miner
Emergency responders were hoping to use an underwater dron, on Nov. 9, 2025, to reach a miner trapped deep inside a flooded Nicholas County coal mine, authorities said. A mining crew hit an unknown pocket of water on Nov. 8, 2025, about three-quarters of a mile into the Rolling Thunder mine near Drennen, Nicholas County, Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole said in a Facebook post.
Associated Press News
A flood inside a coal mine in West Virginia has trapped a coal miner inside
State and local official say a flood inside an underground West Virginia coal mine has trapped a miner inside, and rescue crews have been pumping water out to get to him.
KRQE News 13
WOWKMiner unaccounted for after flood
DRENNEN, W.Va (WOWK) -- Nicholas County Commission President D. Craig Chapman says at least one person is unaccounted for and believed trapped about 3/4 of a mile under the mountain at the Rolling Thunder Mines in Drennen, WV. Chapman also says the county's Office of Emergency Services director gave an update, saying crews were pumping water out around 10 p.m. trying to locate the miner. Officials also say the mines started to flood around 1 p.m…
Miner unaccounted for after flood in Nicholas County
DRENNEN, W.Va. (WOWK) — Nicholas County Commission President D. Craig Chapman says at least one person is unaccounted for and believed trapped about 3/4 of a mile under the mountain at the Rolling Thunder Mines in Drennen, WV. Chapman also says the county's Office of Emergency Services director gave an update, saying crews were pumping water out around 10 p.m. trying to locate the miner. Officials also say the mines started to flood around 1 p.m…
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