Nitrogen to be pumped into W.Va. coal mine to make atmosphere safe for rescue crews to search

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Nitrogen to be used to make W.Va. mine air safe

MONTCOAL, W.Va. — Officials say they will pump nitrogren into a coal mine where an explosion killed 25 in a bid to flush dangerous gases out and allow rescuers to reach up to four survivors.

Federal coal safety administrator Kevin Stricklin says ventilating the noxious gases had allowed levels to drop early Friday but not enough for the crews to re-enter the Upper Big Branch mine.

Crews will pump in nitrogen to neutralize the atmosphere. He says the process will take some time.

Gov. Joe Manchin says teams are going to enter and by the time they reach the area where the survivors might be, the nitrogen pumping will have started. They will be wearing breathing gear.

Rescuers are eager to resume the underground search in the slim hope that the men made it to one of the rescue chambers in the mine.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MONTCOAL, W.Va. (AP) — Officials say they will pump nitrogren into a coal mine where an explosion killed 25 in a bid to flush dangerous gases out and allow rescuers to reach up to four survivors.

Federal coal safety administrator Kevin Stricklin says levels of noxious gases had dropped early Friday but not enough for the crews to re-enter the Upper Big Branch mine late Thursday night.

Crews will pump in nitrogen to neutralize the atmosphere. He says the process will take some time.

Rescuers are eager to resume the underground search in the slim hope that the men made it to one of the rescue chambers in the mine.

Teams spent more than four hours working their way through the mine by rail car and on foot, but had to turn back earlier Thursday.