Caitlin.ann
April 6th, 2010, 11:17 AM
Massey Energy now confirms that 25 workers are dead and four more are trapped deep underground after a explosion rocked a remote West Virginia coal mine.
Mine safety officials say seven of the miners killed inside the Upper Big Branch Mine were leaving the site in a vehicle when an explosion occurred.
No word on the cause of the explosion.
The explosion destroyed all communication lines inside the mine.
Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship told Eyewitness News, "Tonight we mourn the deaths of our members at Massey Energy,” said Don Blankenship. “I want to offer my condolences to the miners' families who lost loved ones at Upper Big Branch. And I want to thank the rescue teams and the Massey members who continue to work hard on behalf of our miners and their families."
The rescue operation has been suspended because of unsafe underground conditions. Kevin Stricklin from MSHA says the rescue will continue as soon as conditions allow.
There are reports that 48 miners were underground at the time of the explosion. Charleston Area Medical Center spokeswoman Elizabeth Pellegrin says one injured miner is in intensive care.
Initial reports say the explosion happened around 3pm Monday at Massey Energy's Performance Coal Co. Upper Big Branch Mine-South mine 30 miles south of Charleston near Whitesville. Dozens of county and state emergency personnel are on scene aiding in rescue efforts.
Link (http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/100405_1456.shtml)
Mine safety officials say seven of the miners killed inside the Upper Big Branch Mine were leaving the site in a vehicle when an explosion occurred.
No word on the cause of the explosion.
The explosion destroyed all communication lines inside the mine.
Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship told Eyewitness News, "Tonight we mourn the deaths of our members at Massey Energy,” said Don Blankenship. “I want to offer my condolences to the miners' families who lost loved ones at Upper Big Branch. And I want to thank the rescue teams and the Massey members who continue to work hard on behalf of our miners and their families."
The rescue operation has been suspended because of unsafe underground conditions. Kevin Stricklin from MSHA says the rescue will continue as soon as conditions allow.
There are reports that 48 miners were underground at the time of the explosion. Charleston Area Medical Center spokeswoman Elizabeth Pellegrin says one injured miner is in intensive care.
Initial reports say the explosion happened around 3pm Monday at Massey Energy's Performance Coal Co. Upper Big Branch Mine-South mine 30 miles south of Charleston near Whitesville. Dozens of county and state emergency personnel are on scene aiding in rescue efforts.
Link (http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/100405_1456.shtml)