More than a year after mine disaster, Mexican families seek justice

Published: 2007-07-24

SAN JUAN DE SABINAS, Mexico (CNS) -- On the 19th day of every month, a group of widows, orphans and family members convene for a Mass at the mouth of the Pasta de Conchos coal mine in San Juan de Sabinas, where a February 2006 explosion claimed the lives of 65 of their loved ones. Some 650 miles to the south, in Mexico City, a smaller group of families from the region also regularly gathers for a Mass outside the corporate offices of Grupo Mexico, the mine's owner. More than 16 months after the disaster, the affected families are still searching for justice, answers and a resolution to the tragedy. Only two of the 65 bodies have been retrieved from the mine as the company halted recovery efforts earlier this year, citing safety reasons. Although each family received compensation offers -- which all but one widow accepted -- a small group, working with the Diocese of Saltillo and the Mexican bishops' labor ministry, is pressing Grupo Mexico to resume efforts to recover bodies from the mine and is petitioning the Mexican government to revoke the company's coal mining permit at Pasta de Conchos.

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