January 1, 2023 -  U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., released a statement Friday marking the 17th anniversary of the Sago mine disaster.

On Jan. 2, 2006, an explosion at the Sago Mine in Upshur County left 13 miners trapped for two days. Ultimately, only one of the trapped miners survived.

The 17th anniversary of the Sago Mine disaster, which left 12 miners dead, is coming up in a few days.

Photo: The West Virginia Encyclopedia

“Seventeen years ago, we lost 12 brave coal miners who went to work at the Sago mine and never returned home to their beloved families,” Manchin said. “West Virginia came together after the tragedy to grieve the loss of our fellow West Virginians and support the families and loved ones of those lost. The Sago mine disaster resulted in legislation that improved safety standards for our miners who sacrifice every day to power our great nation.”