Coal Miners In West Virginia Still Missing

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WEST VIRGINIA (GaeaTimes.com)- It has been reported that the four coal miners who had been left trapped in the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia has not yet been rescued. The rescue party is having a hard time in carrying out the task as the mine is filled with the deadly combination of the lethal carbon monoxide and methane gases, which are regular occurrences in coal mines. The rescue parties are currently drilling into the mine in order to release the buildup of gases.

However, the strenuous task is taking a long time, and it has been decided that if it is not completed soon, then nitrogen would be pumped into the mines, which would have the effect of neutralizing the toxicity of the gases, and the rescuers would be going in with oxygen masks. The coal miners trapped in the West Virginia mine are four of the original 61 who had been present when the terrific explosion occurred, out of whom 25 were killed.

This is not the first time that such explosions have occurred in this coal mine. Similar explosions are considered almost a part of the job in coal mines, thanks to the heavy accumulation of the heavily toxic gases. However, the Upper Big Branch mine has often been subject to heavy criticism due to its inadequate emergency and safety measures. The relatives, and in fact, the entire community is anxiously awaiting news of the missing coal miners in West Virginia, even as hopes keep dwindling. A banner saying ‘Praying For Our Miners’ was spotted in one of the homes.