BECKLEY, W.Va. — A remembrance ceremony honoring the 29 miners killed in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster will be held Monday, April 6, 2026, at 12 noon at the Miners Memorial Garden near Shoemaker Square, adjacent to the Raleigh County Courthouse in downtown Beckley.
The public is invited to attend the annual event, which marks the 16th anniversary of the explosion that remains one of the darkest days in West Virginia mining history.
Remembering the 2010 Disaster
The Upper Big Branch explosion occurred on April 5, 2010, roughly 1,000 feet underground at the mine in Montcoal, Raleigh County. The blast, triggered by a massive coal dust ignition, killed 29 of the 31 miners working at the site. It was the deadliest U.S. mining disaster since 1970 and led to sweeping federal investigations, safety reforms, and national scrutiny of mining practices.
The explosion occurred at 3:27 p.m., sending shockwaves through coal communities across the state and the nation.
A Community-Led Tradition
The annual remembrance has been organized since 2011 by Mick Bates of Raleigh County, in partnership with:
- The City of Beckley
- The Raleigh County Commission
- The Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce
- Raleigh County and City of Beckley first responders
The ceremony has become a yearly moment of reflection, honoring the miners who lost their lives and recognizing the families and communities forever changed by the tragedy.
Event Details
What: Upper Big Branch Mine Remembrance Ceremony
When: Monday, April 6, 2026 – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Miners Memorial Garden, Shoemaker Square, Downtown Beckley
Who: Community members, local leaders, families of miners
The public is encouraged to attend and pay tribute.
