President Barack Obama’s Democrats narrowly retained their Senate majority, losing at least six seats but beating tough challenges in key states like Nevada, West Virginia and California.

BARACK OBAMA’S position as the presumptive Democratic nominee will not be confirmed until his rival, Hillary Clinton, concedes defeat.

Footprints inside the Sago Mine in West Virginia indicate the trapped miners tried to use a mechanised mine car to force their way out after the explosion, family members of the sole survivor said.

Family members learned early today that 11 of the 12 coal miners who were initially thought to have survived an explosion in a US coal mine have died.

A COAL mine explosion that may have been sparked by lightning has trapped 13 US miners underground.