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The accident in the Raša mines of 28 February 1940 was the greatest tragedy in the history of mining in Istria; an explosion, most likely fuellled by methane and coal dust, claimed 185 lives and injured over a hundered people. Documentation made available by the courtesy of Zdravko Hrastnik, a collector from Labin, and the achieves of the Vicenza town hospital shed some light on this tragedy and on the human and professional character of Giovanni BAttista Pillan, the Raša mine physician who was commended and rewarded for successfully fighting the adversity. Later however, he was sent to the front lines over a difference in opinion with the local health administration.