West Virginia coal mine explosion

State troopers stand watch at the entrance to the Massey Energy Co.'s sprawling Upper Big Branch mine, Thursday, April 8, 2010, in Montcoal, W.Va. Rescue crews began working their way by rail car and on foot through a West Virginia coal mine early Thursday in search of four miners missing since a blast killed 25 colleagues in the worst U.S. mining disaster in more than two decades.

Photos: Vigils for the Miners
Rescue Halted as Mine Air Turns "Explosive"
Mine Worker: "There are no Safe Mines"

A sign outside The Jesus Church along Coal River Road urges prayer for miners Thursday, April 8, 2010, in Rock Creek, W.Va. On Monday, 25 miners were killed in an explosion at nearby Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, W.Va.

Photos: Vigils for the Miners
Rescue Halted as Mine Air Turns "Explosive"
Mine Worker: "There are no Safe Mines"

A sign is posted for motorists along Coal River Road Thursday, April 8, 2010, in Rock Creek, W.Va. On Monday, 25 miners were killed in an explosion at nearby Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, W.Va.

Photos: Vigils for the Miners
Rescue Halted as Mine Air Turns "Explosive"
Mine Worker: "There are no Safe Mines"

Thomas Jones, a coal miner from Wharton, W. Va., prays during a candlelight vigil Wednesday, April 7, 2010, in Whitesville, W.Va., for miners involved in an explosion at Massey Energy Co.'s Upper Big Branch mine. Twenty-five miners are known to be dead and four are missing following an explosion at the mine Monday.

Photos: Vigils for the Miners
Rescue Halted as Mine Air Turns "Explosive"
Mine Worker: "There are no Safe Mines"

Cindy Davis, the mother of deceased coal miner Cory Davis, is greeted by members of the community Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at a candlelight vigil in Cabin Creek, W.Va. Davis also lost a brother-in-law, Timmy Davis Sr., and nephew, Josh Napper, who were among the 25 miners killed on Monday at an explosion at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, W.Va.

Photos: Vigils for the Miners
Rescue Halted as Mine Air Turns "Explosive"
Mine Worker: "There are no Safe Mines"

A coal miner's wife shows her pride during a candlelight vigil in Oak Hill, W.Va., on Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

Photos: Vigils for the Miners
Rescue Halted as Mine Air Turns "Explosive"
Mine Worker: "There are no Safe Mines"

State troopers guard an entrance to Massey Energy Co.'s Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, W.Va., Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Twenty-five miners are known to be dead following an explosion at the mine Monday.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin briefs reporters on the latest mine rescue operations, Wednesday morning, April 7, 2010, in Montcoal, W.Va.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

Michelle McKinney hugs her aunt, Jeanie Sanger, in Whitesville, W.Va., on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, as they talked to reporters about McKinney's father and Sanger's brother, Benny Willingham, who was among those killed in an explosion at Massey Energy Co.'s Upper Big Branch mine.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

A sign hangs in a yard near Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine Tuesday, April 6, 2010, in Montcoal, W.Va. The blast Monday at Massey's Upper Big Branch mine, the nation's deadliest mining disaster since at least 1984, was believed to have been caused by a buildup of highly combustible methane.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

Locals gather at Libby's Diner near Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine Tuesday, April 6, 2010, in Whitesville, W.Va. On Monday an explosion at the mine killed 25 miners, and several more are still missing.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

Bobby and Jeanie Sanger of Beckley, W.Va., stand outside of Marsh Fork Elementary School Tuesday, April 6, 2010, in Naoma, W.Va. On Monday Jeanie Sanger's brother Benny Willingham, 61, of Corinne, W.Va., was killied in an explosion at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

Members of the New Life Assembly Church wait outside the church outside Whitesville, W.Va., early Tuesday, April 6, 2010, for news concerning workers trapped in Massey Energy Co.'s Upper Big Branch mine.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

AP Photo/Post-Gazette, Michael Henninger

West Virginia State Police officers direct traffic in front of an entrance to the Massey Energy Co.'s Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, W.Va., in Raleigh County early Tuesday, April 6, 2010, after an explosion in the mine.

Mine Explosion: No Signs of Life from Missing 4
Massey's Troubled Past

Congressman Nick Joe Rahall, left, and Kevin Stricklin, at podium, of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, confirm Tuesday, April 6, 2010, that there are now 25 miners dead, 2 hospitalized and 4 still missing following a mine explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine in Monthcoal, W.Va.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

Kevin Stricklin, chief of coal mine safety for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, states on Tuesday April 6, 2010, that there are now 25 confirmed dead following a Monday evening explosion at Massey Energy Co.'s sprawling Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, W.Va.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

Billy Pettry, Caden Gray, 5, and Brandon Gray, from left, sit on the steps of the Marsh Fork Worship Center in Eunice, W.Va., near the entrance to Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine Monday, April 5, 2010, in Montcoal, W.Va. Pettry, a retired coal miner of 20 years who said he is on disability with black lung, says, "As miners, we always looked out for one another."

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

A road sign warns drivers near the entrance to Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine Tuesday, April 6, 2010, in Montcoal, W.Va.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

Tobie Hilderbrand, pastor at the Marsh Fork Worship Center in Eunice, W.Va., waits at his church on Monday April 5, 2010, to hear word about his family member and missing miner Ricky Workman, 51, of Colcord, W.Va.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

The tipple near the scene of a mine explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine is seen in Montcoal, W.Va., on Monday, April 5, 2010.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

Jenny Waycaster waits for news of her son, Ken Lambert, following a mining accident near Montcoal, W.Va., Monday, April 5, 2010. Dozens of rescuers were trying to find missing miners after an explosion Monday at an underground coal mine with a history of releasing vast amounts of highly combustible methane gas, the mine owner and mine safety officials said.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

Emergency vehicles leave the entrance to Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine on Monday, April 5, 2010, in Montcoal, W.Va.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

West Virginia State Police direct traffic at the entrance to Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine on Monday, April 5, 2010, in Montcoal, W.Va.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

Authorities survey the scene of a mine explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, W.Va., on Monday, April 5, 2010.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia

Families and friends wait alongside emergency personnel after a mine explosion occurred at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, W.Va., on Monday, April 5, 2010.

Coal Mine Blast Leaves 25 Dead, 4 Missing
Fast Facts: West Virginia