Luisenthal Mine Disaster
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The Luisenthal Mine Disaster took place on February 7, 1962 near Völklingen, Germany. The opening of a methane-containing cavern in the Alsbach field caused a methane explosion, which in turn triggered an even bigger coal dust explosion with devastating effects. 299 workers of the 433 present were killed, making this the greatest mining catastrophe in the history of the Saarland coal mining area.