West Virginia Mine Explosion

News

1. Senate Demands Mine Safety Enforcement

   Tue, 27 Apr 2010

   the deaths of 29 miners in West Virginia , the Senate called The Massey Upper Big Branch mine, site of the April 5 explosion , did this in The Senator from West Virginia having just returned memorial to the miners pushed forward
2. 
   Obama Pays Respects to West Virginia Miners

   Sun, 25 Apr 2010

   Center in Beckley, West Virginia , where hundreds of to pay tribute to the miners who died in the April 5 disaster at Upper Big Branch mine. As is tradition families of the lost miners . The president gave People came from around West Virginia and beyond, looking
3. Obamas Weekend Escape

   Fri, 23 Apr 2010

   3-day weekend, the trip was shortened so the President could attend the memorial service Sunday in Beckley, WV for the miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine on April 5. The President has made three previous visits to North Carolina, including Camp Le Jeune, Raleigh and
4. Massey Energy Awarded Coal Boss $2 Million Bonus for Safety Numbers in 2009, Even as Mines Amassed Record Violations

   Thu, 22 Apr 2010

   Massey Energy paid its controversial preventable mine explosion on April 5 that killed 29 miners and destroyed Thursday night, Massey Energy responded to accident at Upper Big Branch to its benefit company. " Massey Energy is dedicated
5. 
   West Virginia Mine Disaster: Coal Company Directors Survive Shareholder Revolt

   Thu, 22 Apr 2010

   directors at the West Virginia coal company that lost 29 miners in a deadly April explosion was unsuccessful need for Massey Energy to improve three of Massey Energy 's board the Upper Big Branch the day of his fellow miners , whose bodies
6. Coal Boss Don Blankenship Has Full Support of Massey Energy Board

   Thu, 22 Apr 2010

   the deadly mine explosion that killed this month, Massey Energy board members relatives of the 29 dead miners . Blankenship five times the miners ' annual pay silence for the miners who died tragedy at Upper Big Branch and remains
7. Obama Orders National Mine Safety Review, Says Miners Owed Assurance and Accountability

   Thu, 15 Apr 2010

   report on the West Virginia mining tragedy Virginia , and miners cross the country people of West Virginia are in our caused the explosion at Massey Energy Company’s upper Big Branch Mine. “This the Upper Big Branch Mine by former miners and health

Videos

1. 
   Six Dead in West Virginia Mine Explosion

   Mon, 5 Apr 2010

   disaster in West Virginia . At least half a dozen miners confirmed dead many more with the west Virginia State Police that the explosion happened at the Massey Energy . Upper big branch mine and hour six miners killed 21

   West Virginia found at 0:14

   the air tonight we Begin with breaking news a mine disaster in West Virginia . At least half a dozen miners confirmed dead many more are missing. David Muir has been taking in all the latest reports and he's -- -- for a statement. I -- as you know we just up the phone with the west Virginia State Police and they do confirm that the explosion happened at the Massey Energy . Upper big branch mine and that is south of Charleston were told about thirty miles south of Charleston in fact. Here are the numbers as they're coming into the Associated Press at this hour six miners killed 21. And for -- Martha -- of the state police in West Virginia just told me she can't confirm. Those numbers but -- you and I were talking that just. Within the last couple of
2. 
   25 Dead in West Virginia Mine Explosion

   Tue, 6 Apr 2010

   in the heart of West Virginia coal country to have been an explosion . Toxic blast tears o'clock in the upper big branch mine. Panic immediately apparent methane explosion . Dozens of workers feels a blast a an explosion . Turning back they find seven miners debt to severely now 25 are known dead . It doesn't

   West Virginia found at 0:10

   mine where the tragedy unfolded -- right smack in the heart of West Virginia coal country. Just about every family here is touched by this industry so this morning there is a powerful sense of anguish. It began as a frantic search and rescue operation but as the hours wore on. It became clear that the horrific blast had taken a deadly toll. There appears to have been an explosion . Toxic blast tears through the mind during a shift change just after 3 o'clock in the upper big branch mine. Panic immediately sets in as a coal mining community. And when you hear that many in this is -- has to be something bad I just start published phone calls of a sudden infant -- in books. Paulson if Kevin was worker Dave -- died -- -- He hadn't won a Tony -- -- -- we -- that expires this. Rescuers immediately Begin piecing it together an apparent methane explosion . Dozens of workers are leaving the shaft at the end of their day suddenly one group feels a blast a -- an explosion . Turning back they find seven miners debt to severely injured. Before you knew this just like your your ears stopped up you could hear and next thing you know you're just like -- a middle a tornado. You were able to. Make -- as we weren't that far from underground. Rice ride there on that side of mountain we just area -- high tailed back to the to the outside. By late afternoon members of this tight knit community are standing vigil at a local church as families Begin an agonizing wait for news of their missing miners . When a -- like this happened in the area brings everyone together. As they prayed the community holds out hope. The mind is more than a thousand feet underground. But it's equipped with extra oxygen tanks located in emergency refuges. If miners survived the blast they can hide in airtight chambers with enough food and water to keep them alive for four days. But by midnight worst fears are realized as the death toll climbs to twelve. We're hoping that they possibly made it 21 of the refuge chambers that are in place. But by 2 AM hopefully it's now 25 are known dead . It doesn't appear. That this time did any of them made their way. To the rescue -- The rescue was suspended officials fear rising levels of methane in the mine could spark another explosion some family members -- The reviews. As day breaks there is little left to do but hope and pray. We've been through this before and now. -- will we'll make it through this. With God's prayer. Now the command center is working around the clock but they had to pull back that forty man rescue team at 2 o'clock in the morning. Because of the dangerous levels of methane and carbon and smoked it could have sparked another explosion at that point the decision was made not to risk any further lies. They're now readying three drilling rigs where they think the miners are they must then drilled down 11100 feet to. A bore hole to get ventilation. And to test the air quality because
3. 
   April 5, 2010: West Virginia Mine Accident

   Fri, 1 Apr 2011

   Today's deadly mine explosion in West Virginia has claimed the upper big branch mine when injured and dead to nearby reports seven miners were killed the trapped miners were safe Last year 34 miners died on the the upper big branch mine today owned by Massey energy corporation

   West Virginia found at 0:05

   Breaking news and America's coal mining country we now know. Today's deadly mine explosion in West Virginia has claimed the lives of at least seven workers -- that number could rise substantially. At this hour rescue teams are working frantically into the night in search of nineteen unaccounted for workers. It was midafternoon 3 PM the end of the day shift at the upper big branch mine when a massive explosion ripped through the -- -- minor Steve Smith was near the blast. It was almost like a tornado. -- -- we got we -- -- stopped distinctly couldn't go any article it was somewhat error. -- towards those we could move so we had to turn around and back up to go back out. The other way. Another witness said the explosion caught the -- -- on fire. First responders on the scene began a frantic rescue operation helicopters in the landing zone took the injured and dead to nearby hospitals and morgues. The early reports seven miners were killed and at least nineteen are missing trapped in the mine. And as so often in coal country over the years the families and friends waited for word. Immediately people start -- city. The water but actually they pray this -- the price community in this areas. They can Begin -- relief side. Other than that what we didn't. West Virginia has seen more than its share of coal mining tragedies in 2006. This -- -- mine disaster trapped thirteen miners for two days only one survived. In a heartbreaking misunderstanding mining officials there at first released incorrect information. Meeting families to believe all -- the trapped miners were safe. Hours later the grim news. Last year 34 miners died on the job in the United States. The explosion at the upper big branch mine today came the same day more than 100 workers were miraculously rescued. From a Chinese mine eight days after a flooding accident. 38 miners there remain unaccounted for. The upper big branch mine is owned by Massey energy corporation one of the country's biggest coal companies the mine has extra oxygen stored along emergency escape route and airtight chambers the company says. Which can keep trapped miners alive for up to four days. It's a rescue operation is definitely not a recovery operation rescue the refuge chambers had the
4. 
   Six Dead in West Virginia Mine Explosion

   Mon, 5 Apr 2010

   of mine disaster in West Virginia . We know that at least a half a dozen miners are confirmed dead many more are missing called white's bill west Virginia 's one of those towns people still missing six dead and the effort to save

   West Virginia found at 0:02

   Late word of -- mine disaster in West Virginia . We know that at least a half a dozen miners are confirmed dead many more are missing for the latest on this breaking news right now let's bring in ABC's John Donvan. And Diane right now the effort is to get to those missing men and tried to save their lives in -- -- intense rescue effort under way as far as we know. But frankly. At about 330 in the afternoon and that it was felt from some distance as we heard from one of the miners who works there. We were our way. To go out to the other side amount -- -- -- -- we got called open it was like -- it was almost like a tornado. I -- we got we AME -- -- -- couldn't go any article it was somewhat to air. -- -- -- we could move so we had to turn around and back up and go back out. The other way. This mine is located in a town called white's bill west Virginia's one of those towns that is all about mining population itself is only about 542. It's about thirty miles south of Charleston and not all that far from the town of say go which in January 2006. Was the scene of mining disaster in which twelve people died we do -- do not at this point no. What the final toll is going to be again 21 people still missing six dead and the effort to save those 21.
5. 
   Tense Moments at a Mine

   Mon, 5 Apr 2010

   Today's deadly mine explosion in West Virginia has claimed the upper big branch mine when injured and dead to nearby reports seven miners were killed the trapped miners were safe Last year 34 miners died on the the upper big branch mine today owned by Massey energy corporation

   West Virginia found at 0:05, 4:13

   Breaking news and America's coal mining country we now know. Today's deadly mine explosion in West Virginia has claimed the lives of at least seven workers and that number could rise substantially. At this hour rescue teams are working frantically into the night in search of nineteen unaccounted for workers. It was midafternoon 3 PM the end of the -- shift at the upper big branch mine when a massive explosion ripped through the mountain minor Steve Smith was near the blast. It was almost like a tornado. I -- we got we AME -- stopped distinctly couldn't go any article there was so much air. -- coworkers we could move. So we had to turn around and backed up to go back out. The other way. Another witness said the explosion caught the -- -- on fire. First responders on the scene began a frantic rescue operation helicopters -- the landing zone took the injured and dead to nearby hospitals and morgues. The early reports seven miners were killed and at least nineteen are missing trapped in the mine. And as so often in coal country over the years the families and friends waited for word. Immediately people start -- -- The water that eventually they pray this -- the price community in this areas. They come -- really affect us. -- -- -- -- West Virginia has seen more than its share of coal mining tragedies in 2006. The -- -- mine disaster trapped thirteen miners for two days only one survived. In a heartbreaking misunderstanding mining officials there at first released incorrect information. -- families to believe all the trapped miners were safe. Hours later the grim news. Last year 34 miners died on the job in the United States. The explosion at the upper big branch mine today came the same day more than 100 workers were miraculously rescued. From a Chinese mine eight days after a flooding accident. 38 miners there remain unaccounted for. The upper big branch mine is owned by Massey energy corporation one of the country's biggest coal companies the mine has -- extra oxygen stored along emergency escape route and airtight chambers the company says. Which can keep trapped miners alive for up to four days. It's a rescue operation is definitely not a recovery operation rescue the refuge chambers had the

   -- they don't have any indication at this point what caused this explosion but what about. Massey CEO controversial guy Don Blankenship. Well Don Blankenship has become very controversial estrogen or he's been a major factor. In politics there is spending millions of dollars and raising millions more to support certain candidates including members of the West Virginia Supreme Court. Who then voted in his favor on certain key cases. -- ABC news tried to ask him about that in
6. 
   Nightline (04.06.10)

   Wed, 7 Apr 2010

   underground in West Virginia as a desperate the four coal miners who remain missing whether this explosion could have been slim hope that miners who are unaccounted very grim news 25 dead . And many troubling inside the upper big branch mine at the afternoon shift. 61 miners going on what of the mine Massey Energy is a big company

   25 dead dead found at 1:48

   evening I'm Terry Moran amid their grief and anger and prayer in West Virginia tonight there. Is faith hope hope that the four coal miners who remain missing may somehow still be alive. But even if a miracle is waiting underground the damage has been done. And along with the morning now come the difficult questions. About how this mine is being operated and whether this explosion could have been prevented our chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross has tonight's report Brian. -- tonight authorities continue to hold out some slim hope that -- miners who are unaccounted for May have somehow survived that horrendous underground blast. Otherwise it was a day of very grim news 25 dead . And many troubling questions about why a -- with serious and repeated safety issues was still operating. The scene at the mine is quiet tonight. Recovery efforts ended because the buildup of methane gas made it unsafe for anyone to go back into the -- But with many of the families not yet knowing whether their loved ones are among the dead or the still -- there -- an agonizing hoped for a Mara. Everyone's going to hang onto that hope for the miracle. That if there's one miracle choose 34 miracles. That one of those miracles are their husband that are dead or their brother that is the true agony of this. The power of yesterday's explosion however makes survival highly unlikely. It happened deep inside the upper big branch mine at the afternoon shift. 61 miners -- -- going on what are called man trips the underground railroad. And then what one of the survivors Stanley Stewart describe
7. 
   Miners Remembered in Ink

   Mon, 4 Apr 2011

   is getting several tattoos not just because He likes them. But more to remember 29 people killed in the upper big branch mine explosion three of the victims his brother and nephew and son. Along with their pictures Davis is adding 29 crosses on

   Mine Explosion explosion found at 0:12

   likes them. But more to remember 29 people killed in the upper big branch mine explosion three of the victims -- his brother and nephew and son. Along with their pictures Davis is adding 29 crosses on his