Key Facts
• On August 25-26, divers discovered human-like bones in Chosei Coal Mine, Yamaguchi.
• Police confirmed on August 27 that the remains are human bones.
• The mine flooded on February 3, 1942, killing 183 people, including 136 from the Korean Peninsula.
• The bones were found during a year-long underwater investigation by a local civic group.
• Two South Korean divers located three bones and a skull in the main tunnel.
• The remains had been submerged for over 80 years since the mine’s collapse.
• The civic group aims to identify the remains and return them to families.
• Collaboration involves local police, the Japanese government, and the South Korean government.
Summary
Human bones were discovered in the submerged Chosei Coal Mine in Yamaguchi, Japan, marking the first recovery of remains since the mine’s collapse in 1942. The disaster claimed 183 lives, including 136 individuals from the Korean Peninsula. The bones were found during a year-long underwater investigation led by a local civic group aiming to return the remains to families. Two South Korean divers located the remains in the main tunnel, which had been underwater for over 80 years. Police confirmed the bones’ authenticity on August 27, and efforts are underway to identify the individuals with the cooperation of Japanese and South Korean authorities.
