Obama on Kentucky miner deaths: Such tragedies must be prevented

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Obama saddened by Kentucky mine deaths

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says mining accidents like the latest one in Kentucky that claimed two lives must be prevented.

Obama issued a statement Friday saying he was deeply saddened by the incident where two miners were killed when a roof collapsed in the Dotiki Mine late Wednesday. It happened only weeks after an explosion at a mine in West Virginia killed 29, the nation’s worst coal mine disaster in decades .

After the West Virginia incident Obama ordered a review of mine safety procedures. He said Friday that it was the responsibility of everyone from mine operators to the federal government to prevent such tragedies from happening.