Darr Mine disaster

The Darr Mine disaster at Van Meter, Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, near Smithton, killed 239 men and boys on December 19, 1907.

[1] It ranks as the worst coal mining disaster in Pennsylvanian history.

[2] Many victims were of immigrants from central Europe, including Rusyns, Hungarians (including Slovaks from Gemer and Abov - then part of Austria-Hungary), Austrians, Germans, Poles and Italians.

It was located on the west side of the Youghiogheny River and along the route of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad.

The mine’s owner, the Pittsburgh Coal Company was not held responsible, but did abandon the use of open lamps after the disaster.