Mine Explosion In West Virginia: 19 Trapped, 7 Killed

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MONTCOAL (GaeaTimes.com)- A mine explosion in a West Virginia mine has reportedly led to the death of seven crew members, injured two and left 19 others missing or trapped. The explosion took place at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County at around 3 p.m on Monday. According to reports, the explosion wreaked the mine at a time when nine workers were in their way out of the mine. While seven had died on the spot two workers were taken immediately to hospital. One of the injured is in bad condition and has been shifted to the intensive care unit of the Charleston Area Medical Center. However, the officials could not detect the cause of the explosion.

The 19 people trapped inside include two groups of nine workers and a fire boss who has been working alone inside the mine. The Chief Executive of the Massey Energy, Don Blankenship has said to the media that the company is trying hard to rescue the workers trapped inside. Rescue workers are trying to track the workers inside the mine. According to reports, the miners are trapped around 2.5 km under the ground, however the officials believe that the roof of the mine has not been damaged by the mine explosion and if the trapped workers can reach the two rescue chambers build inside the mine then there are enough chances that they could survive the accident.

The West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin reportedly said to the media that he has contacted the President of United States Barack Obama, who has assured that all possible help will be extended for the rescue team to do the task as fast as possible.