World & Nation

West Virginia mine disaster

Gov. Joe Manchin, left, hugs Pam Napper, the mother of deceased coal miner Josh Napper, as she, his father Scott Napper, top right, and girlfriend Jennifer Ziegler, top left, attend a candlelight vigil Wednesday in Cabin Creek, W.Va. Napper was among the 25 miners killed on Monday during an explosion at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, W.Va. Napper's uncle Timmy Davis Sr. and cousin Cory Davis also died in the blast.

Gov. Joe Manchin, left, hugs Pam Napper, the mother of deceased coal miner Josh Napper, as she, his father Scott Napper, top right, and girlfriend Jennifer Ziegler, top left, attend a candlelight vigil Wednesday in Cabin Creek, W.Va. Napper was among the 25 miners killed on Monday during an explosion at Massey Energy‘s Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, W.Va. Napper’s uncle Timmy Davis Sr. and cousin Cory Davis also died in the blast.  (Jeff Gentner / Associated Press)

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Members of the local community participate in a candlelight vigil in Whitesville, W. Va., for the 25 miners killed in a coal mine explosion.  (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images)

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Terry Bailey, right, of Naoma, W. Va., and a coal miner at Progress Coal, stands by a memorial for the 25 miners who were killed in the explosion.  (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images)

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A large drill and fan, left, work above Massey Energy‘s Upper Big Branch Coal Mine Wednesday in Montcoal, W.Va. to drill holes and release gas from the area where miners are believed to be trapped.  (Jeff Gentner / Associated Press)

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Massey Energy workers Maurice Blanchette, left, Jimmy Shortridge, Brandon Waddell and Andrew Lucas take a break from drilling efforts Wednesday.  (Jeff Gentner / Associated Press)

West Virginia mine explosion

Part of the Massey Energy Co.’s Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, W.Va., where at least 25 miners were killed in an explosion Monday.  (Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)

West Virginia mine explosion

Relatives of miners leave the Upper Big Branch Mine as rescue efforts are suspended.  (Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)

West Virginia mine explosion

West Virginia State Highway Patrol officers talk to one another near the Upper Big Branch Mine. Rescue efforts to save four miners that remain unaccounted for were suspended due to poisonous gasses trapped underground.  (Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)

West Virginia mine explosion

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III, left, confers with Kevin Stricklin of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration near the Upper Big Branch Mine.  (Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)

West Virginia mine explosion

Michelle McKinney came to the mine with a family photo including her father, Benny R. Willingham, one of the victims.  (Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)

West Virginia mine explosion

A sign near the Upper Big Branch Mine holds out hope for the four missing miners.  (Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)

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