US miners trapped after explosion

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

The trapped miners in Tallmansville, West Virginia are about three miles underground, state officials said last night.

The mine had been idle over the holiday and the explosion occurred as the first shift of miners entered to resume production, said Lara Ramsburg, spokeswoman for Governor Joe Manchin.

“As they were heading in, the car in the back either heard or felt some type of explosion. They headed back out. The first car never made it back out,” she said.

Rescue workers have not been able to reach the miners, said Steve Milligan, deputy director of Upshur County’s Office of Emergency Management.

“They essentially came to a wall,” Mr Milligan said. “So they can’t get to them at this time.”

Miners who work in the mine each carry a portable air purifying system which would give them as much as seven hours of clean air, said Tim McGee who works at the mine.

Mr McGee was among the crowd of 100 people who gathered at near the mine to await word on the miners.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately known, but Ms Ramsburg said officials believe it could have been caused by a lightning strike. A series of severe thunderstorms moved through West Virginia early yesterday.

Mines can be vulnerable to explosions because flammable elements like methane gas can build underground, although ventilation systems are used to clear it out.

A trained mine rescue team had arrived at the mine, but Ms Ramsburg said officials were monitoring the mine’s ventilation system to make sure the mine was not on fire.

The explosion knocked out the mine’s communication equipment and company officials have not been able to make contact with the miners.

It is believed that the missing miners are about three miles from the mine’s opening.