Posted on 04/05/2010 3:17:41 PM PDT by Steelfish
Report: 6 dead in W. Va. coal mine blast 21 unaccounted for; emergency crews on the scene BREAKING NEWS msnbc.com staff and news service reports updated less than 1 minute ago CHARLESTON, W.Va. - An explosion at an underground West Virginia coal mine on Monday killed at least six people and left 21 unaccounted for, a state mining official said.
The accident happened around 4:30 Monday afternoon at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, about 30 miles south of Charleston.
The West Virginia state police confirmed an "incident," but had no further information.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Time will tell!!!
Hey Roccus, you got anything on this?
My husband is a hard rock miner and this is why he has refused to ever mine coal. Prayers.
Prayers for the miner and their families.
From this son of a coal miner, who was also a son of a coal miner.
My grandfather was a mine inspector called to the scene after disasters such as this. He wrote a book about his experiences. I pray for these miners and their families.
Prayers for these hardworking men and their families.
Prayers up from a boy who’s WV born and raised. Coal mining is in our souls.
May God bless these miners and the families
Sorry, can’t help with this one yet. A woman I know has relatives who work this one, but she hasn’t heard whether they’re involved or not yet.
My grandfather and great-grandfather (and uncles) were all KY coal miners. My thoughts are with all the families there tonight and I hope those missing can be found.
Prayers being said.
Adding my prayers.
Father, protect those missing and comfort the friends and families of those who lost their lives. Father, hear our prayers. Amen
I’ve added these men to my prayers, Nan.
Massey Coal was involved in the buying off of a state supreme court justice. Went to the SCOTUS which reversed. Unfortunately the state supreme court issued a new decision in Massey’s favor. The ruling was corruptly issued.
That said, my prayers are for the miners and their families/friends.
The methane gas and coal dust are both dangerous.
Back in 1979, when Sam Church was the president of the Coal Miners’ Union, he pressed for separate oxygen masks for each miner. I lobbied for a law to be passed, making the masks requirement by law. This being 2010, we know how that effort went down.
I think it’s time I try again.
Judi Hanford
Would appreciate any info asap. Thanks
12 dead now, and 10 still missing, thousands of feet underground.
God help them!
Things may have changed in the last decade, but there were two basic models: one which generated O2 from a chemical reaction and another that used a small O2 cylinder. Both used filtering technology to fully utilize the supply and remove CO. Some are based on underwater re-breather apparatus developed during WWII. They are supposed to last an hour, but one tends to breath a bit more than normal when under extreme stress or heavy exertion. Consequently, the requirement for additional units stored throughout the mine.
25 confirmed dead..when I heard that number my jaw just dropped..prayers to all those affected by this horrible horrible tragedy
I just heard it...terribly sad.
Four still missing...rescue called off.
Worst American mine disaster since 1984.
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