One Dead, Another Trapped After Coal Preparation Plant Collapse in Kentucky; State of Emergency Declared

Trapped individuals were working to demolish the abandoned Martin Mine Prep Plant when the building collapsed; rescue attempt estimated to take several days due to the danger and complexity of the situation.

An eleven-story building at the Martin Mine coal preparation plant in eastern Kentucky, which was being demolished, collapsed at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, trapping two workers beneath multiple floors of steel and concrete.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to mobilize state resources for the rescue operation. However, he warned the public to prepare for bad news, hinting at the complex and dangerous nature of the rescue situation.
One of the trapped workers has been confirmed dead. The condition, identity, or exact location of the second worker, who is still trapped, remains unknown.
Martin County Sheriff John Kirk says rescuers have made contact with one of the trapped men and are working to free him, but the rescue operation could take days due to the weight of the rubble and the confined spaces within.
The collapsed coal plant had been out of operation for years and was sold for scrap. The workers were on the bottom floor preparing the building for demolition when the collapse occurred, reportedly due to sections of the building not falling as expected during the demolition process.