Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
State investigators continue mapping mine

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 26, 2006) - Investigators from the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) today again mapped and extensively photographed areas inside the Kentucky Darby No. 1 mine in Harlan County, where five miners died in an explosion early Saturday.

It was a continuation of the task of identifying and plotting debris patterns and the location of tools, equipment and other items at the accident scene.

Work was centered in the immediate area of the explosion. Debris piles have not been disturbed, and the accident scene has been carefully preserved. The mine has been closed since the methane explosion. Efforts to keep the mine well-ventilated are ongoing.

Investigative work will temporarily move after today from the mine site to the OMSL Harlan District office, where investigators will analyze information collected to this point.