25 killed in West Virginia mine blast

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/06/west.virginia.mine.explosion/index.html?hpt=T1 ^ | April 6, 2010 | CNN Wire Staff

[angelcindy]

The death toll from the massive explosion at a sprawling coal mine in West Virginia rose to 25 early Tuesday, making it the deadliest U.S. mining disaster in 25 years. Crews halted their efforts to reach four miners still unaccounted for at the Upper Big Branch Mine following the blast Monday afternoon.

Concentrations of methane and carbon monoxide inside the mine made it a safety risk for crews to proceed, said Kevin Stricklin of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration at a 2 a.m. briefing to reporters. Officials planned to drill bore holes from the surface 1,200 feet into the mines to help ventilate it and to collect samples. However, they will first have to use bulldozers to clear a path to reach the part of the mine where they can drill.

[PghBaldy]

They use to protest outside of funerals of people who died from AIDS- they may still do so. That is how they got their start though.

[FourPeas]

The Gov. said we don’t have grief counselors in West Virginia, we have clergy.

In the midst of all this sad news, right here is a ray of hope. Thank you.

[wolf78]

They are cowards and morons but I bet they know better than to show up and protest these funerals.

What you have to understand is that WB isn't about religion. It's more of a family-run law firm, provoking others into suing or even attacking them so they can make their money in court.

Other than that my heartfelt prayers to the families and friends of the victims.

[PghBaldy]

I am waiting for the Dems any minute. They will exploit any tragedy they can.

[dixiebelle]

This is just horrible. Prayers for all the families & friends...

[elpadre]

I understand all mines are inspected by state mine safety compliance officers frequently, fined for infractions and given tight time tables for the correction of safety violations.And I have read that mines where violations are critical, or the company does not fulfill their agreement to correct violations have actually been shut down. Is this so, and if so why has this company been allowed to continue?

[John S Mosby]

If they try that in WV, they will be met by a fierce group of seriously angry tough mountaineers. They will be confronted and likely injured- and they should be. Of all the advocacy miners need, they do not need “miners died because God is avenging the US’s tolerance of “fags” “ This group crosses every boundary of sanity and decency. This would be a very good lesson to them.

[Dubya-M-Dees]

I know this area and these people extremely well. I’ve got two nephews that work in this exact mine. One was there, and made it out, the other had been temporarily assigned to another mine, so wasn’t there. These people are fiercely loyal to friends and family. WBC better think twice before showing up to this one.

[wordsofearnest]

Prayers up. This is about 50 miles from where we go a couple of times a year to help a small school in Martin KY. Beautiful country, no nonsense people.

[backwoods-engineer]

My Grandfathers were both WV coal miners.

Mine too, along with my dad, 7 uncles, and 3 cousins. Coal mining runs deep in my WV family. We hurt with all these families, and pray for the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, to guard their hearts and minds.

[Biggirl]

Prayers!

[Jane Austen]

Where one can send contributions?

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***However, they will first have to use bulldozers to clear a path to reach the part of the mine where they can drill.***

I know this sounds bad but, they are not going to remove any of the sacred MOUNTAIN TOPS to get to them are they?

Prayers for the families at this horrible time.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I doubt you will notice much of a shift in mountain tops, FRiend.

[Macgedos]

If Westboro goes in that area with their signs stating such things I will guess that a lot of a$$-kicking will be going on....

[Clemenza]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCRqAzCevsY

[Ditto]

I think I can safely predict that if Phelps and merry Westboro crew travel there and start up their bulls**t protests at the funerals, they won't be going home alive.

You are correct about that. There a great people down there, but you sure don't want to piss them off.

[reagan_fanatic]

I wish some biker gang would just beat the living shit out of those Westboro scumbags.

[CedarDave]

I am waiting for the Dems any minute. They will exploit any tragedy they can.

And the greenies. They have stopped surface mining in WV and are looking to shut down the underground mines to reduce ... "GLOBAL WARMING."

Oh, that evil resource called coal.

[SE Mom]

Did he REALLY say that? I LOVE IT!!!!