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Disaster at Massey Energy's Big Branch Mine 30 Miles south of Charleston in Raleigh County. Six confirmed dead... twenty one missing. Details can be read here. This is really awful news. Keep the families and the missing in your prayers. They are in mine. (Quote from the AP story)
MONTCOAL, W.Va. – Six miners were killed and at least 21 unaccounted for Monday in an explosion at an underground coal mine, the state mining director said. Ron Wooten said the blast was reported around 3 p.m. at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, about 30 miles south of Charleston. The company did not provide details on the extent of the damage. A Boone County ambulance dispatcher also said he has the same number of fatalities and missing miners. The mine is operated by Massey subsidiary Performance Coal Co.
Mr Rick has a recommended diary with lots more details on DailyKos... here.
UPDATE 1: This could rank among one of the worst mine disasters in West Virginia (and in U.S.) history, depending on how many are rescued (HOPEFULLY EVERY SINGLE ONE). The Sago coal mine explosion in WV on January 2, 2006, trapped 13 miners for almost two days, but only 1 of 13 survived. The Jim Walter Resources Mine Disaster in Alabama on September 23, 2001 killed 13 people. On November 20, 1968 there was an explosion at Consolidation Coal's Number Nine mine in Farmington, WV. 99 miners were underground at the time; 21 made it out, the other 78 didn't.
UPDATE 2 - From the Governor in an EMailed Press Release TONIGHT
April 5, 2010
STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THE MINE EMERGENCY IN MONTCOAL, W.VA.
UPDATED 8:30 p.m.
Contact: Matt Turner, 304-558-3702
“This is devastating news and our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the miners who have died. We are offering everything we can to assist those families at this time.
“For those families who are still waiting for news on their missing loved ones, I want them to know that we are doing everything possible in cooperation with federal officials and the company to get our miners out as quickly and safely as possible.
“I just spoke with President Obama and he has promised to make every asset available to help us and we will be in contact as the rescue continues. “We are all working diligently together and I ask that everyone pray for the miners, their families and our rescue teams.”
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