Commemoration of the Thieu mine disaster of 1914

The Saint-Henri mine was one of the many coal mines in the Hainaut region, which was an important centre for the Belgian coal industry at the time.

In March 1914, a tragic disaster occurred at the Saint-Henri mine, killing a large number of miners. Although the exact details vary, it is generally accepted that the disaster was caused by an underground explosion, possibly due to the build-up of methane gas (also known as firedamp) in the mine shafts.

In 1914, the land in Coron Marin subsided and on March 2, a catastrophic flood caused nine deaths in the Thieu mine.

On March 2, 1914, at 7:30 p.m., water and sand from the overburden suddenly entered the underground works of the headquarters of St. Henri in Thieu. The water had broken through the wall of a trench dug in the area of ​​the sunset, and the mine was invaded with great speed. Every moment of delay imposed by the brave workers to warn their companions, in fulfilling a duty of humanity, might cost them their lives.

The workers Denis Hennicq, Emile Richelet and Vital Sauvage were working in the adjacent galleries where the water burst; instead of fleeing immediately, they went towards the flood and all together tried to save the worker Vandenbosch, who had both legs broken, against the current of water and mud.

Unfortunately, the water, which was still rising, made their efforts an illusion; the fall of the lamps plunged them into complete darkness; under these circumstances the unfortunate man they wished to rescue escaped, and the brave workmen narrowly won the encounter.

The incident resulted in the loss of dozens of lives , sending shockwaves through the community of Thieu and surrounding areas. Many of the victims were local men working to support their families.

Willem Vandenameele