W.Va. mine blast disaster kills at least 25

[phantom power]

NAOMA, W.Va. — Rescue crews on Tuesday began drilling a bore hole into the coal mine where 25 miners were killed in an explosion hoping to find survivors after the worst mine disaster since 1984.

Of 18 men in the mine, four are unaccounted for.

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin said Tuesday three holes will be drilled to a depth of 1,100 feet and will have to pass through two voids of old mine, slowing the process down. The holes will be complete sometime this evening, Manchin said. Rescuers had to bulldoze an access road above it so they could begin drilling three shafts.

"They're telling us it will be a long day into evening until that can get down to do the readings and check the air quality," he said.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-04-05-West-Virginia_N.htm