MONTCOAL, W.Va: After almost a week of the West Virginia mine explosion, the bodies of the four missing miners have been found which brings the death toll in the Upper Big Branch mine blast, 30 miles of Charleston, to 29.
Now the effort will be concentrated on recovering on the remaining 22 bodies still inside the mine. After the blast, 7 bodies were recovered and 2 miners were wounded.
The rescue efforts earlier were hampered by dangerous gases and because of risk of another explosion or fire.
Gov. Joe Manchin commented on the recovery of the bodies of the four missing miners, "The journey has ended."
There have been several safety violations reported at the mine since the mine accident. Massey Energy Co., which owns the mines, has been cited and fined for problems with the system that vents methane and for allowing combustible dust to build up. But the CEO Don Blankenship vehemently denied accusations from miners that he puts profits ahead of workers' safety.
