Rescue workers unable to go back into mine after explosion due to high gas levels. Wednesday afternoon, crews drilled holes into the ground near area of the mine explosion that occurred on Sunday, in an attempt to release toxic gases; but the levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane were too dangerously high to allow rescuers to search for possible survivors. Rescuers had hoped to go back in Thursday to search for the four possible survivors. 25 workers were killed after the mine explosion on Sunday, and four remain missing.
"We just can't take any chances," said Kevin Stricklin from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. "If we're going to send a rescue team, we have to say it's safe for them to go in there."
"We've asked the families to be patient," Stricklin said.
Massey Energy Company runs the Upper Big Branch mine and they have been heavily criticized for safety violations that have plagued the company; Massey Energy was fined more than a million dollars over the past year for health and safety violations for dangerous conditions, while only 16% of the fines have been paid. Massey Energy has sidestepped fines by contesting the safety violations, according to the Associated Press.
The highest death toll prior to this mine explosion accident was in Orangeville, Utah in 1984 when 27 people died in a fire at the Emery Mining Corp, according to the Associated Press. According to the MSNBC video report below, one of the safest coal mines in the country is in Utah. If the four missing miners are dead, then this is the largest mining accident in 30 years.
To see a slideshow of photos and video from the mine explosion area, click here.
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Sources: The Associated Press and MSNBC
Slideshow: Yao Ming Gala dinner, March 28, 2010
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Comments
i am from orangeville where the mine disaster of 84 occured and my good friend's dad named Phillip Bell perished in the Wilberg disaster- this opens up wounds for the small communities who know how perilous these jobs are so we can have electricity- God Bless the coal miners.
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