Dive teams search three times for missing miner in flooded Rolling Thunder coal mine, West Virginia
Dive teams entered the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County, West Virginia, three times over the weekend as search efforts continued for a miner missing since a sudden flood on Saturday afternoon, November 8, 2025.
Pumping equipment being transported to the Rolling Thunder Mine in West Virginia to rescue trapped miner on November 10, 2025 (stillshot). Credit: Anna Saunders
Dive teams entered the Rolling Thunder Mine three times between Saturday and Monday, November 10 as rescue operations continued for a miner who went missing after a section of the underground coal mine flooded in Nicholas County, West Virginia.
The flood began shortly after 13:30 local time on Saturday, when crews reportedly struck an uncharted pocket of water deep inside the mine. Most miners in the affected section were able to evacuate. However, one miner, located approximately 1.2 km (0.75 miles) from the opening, was unable to escape.
Officials said that several million gallons of water entered the mine, submerging tunnels, and is now obstructing rescue efforts. By late Sunday, November 9, roughly 2.7 million gallons had been pumped out, but large sections remained inaccessible to ground teams.
Rescue and recovery operations are being led by the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training, with assistance from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), state police, and the West Virginia Emergency Management Division. Alpha Metallurgical Resources, the mine’s operator, is coordinating on-site safety and logistical support.
The dive teams, trained for confined and low-visibility environments, made three separate entries into the mine’s flooded zone.
Officials said the dives were limited by poor visibility and unstable air conditions. As of Monday evening, the missing miner had not been located, and search efforts remained in active rescue status.
Governor Patrick Morrisey said “there’s nothing we would spare to save the life of the miner,” and confirmed that teams continue pumping operations while divers assess conditions for further entry.
“The West Virginia Emergency Management Division has also coordinated with the National Cave and Rescue Commission to assist in the assessment and any necessary rescue effort. This remains an active situation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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