On This Day in Working Class History

El Bordo Fire: Tragedy in Pachuco, Mexico


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On this day, 10 March 1920, the El Bordo mine fire occurred in Pachuca, Mexico, which killed dozens of miners. The fire broke out at 6 AM, and there was a brief evacuation period before the mine shafts were sealed shut. 
Officials of the United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Company claimed that after the evacuation fewer than 10 workers remained inside, all of whom were declared to be dead by company doctors. 
When the mine was finally reopened six days later, it was clear that the company had been lying. Inside were the charred bodies of 87 miners: many of whom had reached the exit of the mine, but were burned to death as they were unable to leave. Miraculously, seven miners had even managed to survive despite being trapped underground. 
As in almost all historical examples of corporations killing their workers, no bosses were prosecuted or punished.
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8217/el-bordo-fire

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