West Virginia mine explosion Kills 25

West Virginia (GaeaTimes.com) At least 25 people have died after a deadly blast at the Upper Big Branch Mine on Monday. It is reported that the crews are still searching for four miners who are still unaccounted. According to a mining official the process can take up to two days. They have to drill bore holes into the sprawling West Virginia Coal Mine.

The explosion happened at about 3 p.m. this Monday and it had disabled the communication lines, including wireless systems inside the underground mine.

We still have no information about the cause of the explosion but methane gas is suspected for this blast. In recent past, the methane gas has been blamed for several deadly mining incidents in recent years. The Sago mine explosion in 2006, killed 12 people. Three others died in the last 12 years at the Upper Big Branch Mine, according to federal records.

Kevin Stricklin, an administrator with the Mine Safety and Health Administration explained at a 2 am briefing that the rescue efforts had been suspended due to the presence of very high concentration of methane gas in the shaft. The rescue effort can be resumed as soon as the air is cleared.

There are hopes that the missing miners might have used the emergency escape routes so that they can reach specially reinforced airtight chambers that are stocked with food, water and air. If they can reach those places, they can sustain there for several days. These places are about one and a half mile below the ground.