An explosion in Consolidated Coal No. 9 mine on November 20, 1968, killed 78 miners, and only 21 men were rescued. The mine was sealed ten days later because of fires and explosions. Recovery efforts began in 1969, and over a ten-year period the bodies of 59 miners were extracted. The mine was permanently sealed in November 1978. The disaster led to passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.