Mt Kembla, New South Wales, July 1902

Mt Kembla gas explosion, 1902

Quick Statistics

96 Fatalities

At 2pm on 31 July 1902, an explosion at Mt. Kembla Colliery killed 94 people. The rescue coordinator and the nightshift manager also lost their lives during rescue efforts due to the effect of overpowering fumes.

A Royal Commission determined the explosion was caused by the ignition of gas in the mine by the naked flames used as torches by the miners.

Gallery

Sources

Illawarra Coal, Mt Kembla Colliery gas explosion – 1902, website viewed 8 April 2011
Mount Kembla Mining Heritage Festival, Mt Kembla Mining and Social History, website viewed 8 April 2011