Rescuers drilling boreholes at Massey mine to find missing miners, test air

摘要

Rescuers began drilling the first of four boreholes Tuesday in an attempt to find four missing coal miners after an explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine, federal and company officials said. The Monday afternoon explosion killed 25 miners, sent two workers to the hospital and four are missing, according to officials. Massey Energy owns the mine in the Marfork Complex in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Chris Adkins, Massey president and chief operating officer, said that all the drills for the boreholes were in position. The holes can be used to test methane and oxygen levels in various sections of the mine. They can also be used for venting and to lower equipment and supplies into mine cavities. The first drill was at 160 feet about 4 pm Tuesday, but it has to get to 1,100 feet, he added. Two other drills should begin working by Wednesday. He did not mention the fourth drill.