Investigators hope to return to West Virginia coal mine where 29 were killed in explosion

Investigators hope to return to mine where 29 died

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Teams hope to resume exploring the West Virginia mine where 29 men died in the nation’s worst coal mining disaster in 40 years nearly a week after their first trip underground.

The foray inside Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine could come Monday. Investigators are eager for the exploratory teams to work their way through the mine and make sure it’s safe enough to start searching for clues.

The mine has been entered just twice since rescuers removed the final bodies following the April 5 explosion. Two four-member teams of state, federal and Massey workers made two trips Wednesday.

Regulators suspect the blast was caused by an explosion of methane gas and coal dust, but say they need evidence from underground.