A MINING company executive said officials are “very discouraged” by air quality tests in the mine where 13 workers are trapped, and planned to drill a third hole to take additional air samples.

Rescuers trying to reach 13 trapped US miners punched a hole into the mine early today, but a company executive said he was “very discouraged” by air quality tests.

Thirteen coal miners in West Virginia remained trapped 260 feet below ground today, after an explosion that may have been triggered by lightning.

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

Thirteen US miners trapped in a coal mine explosion in Tallmansville, West Virginia today are about three miles underground, state officials said.