“This was a horrific explosion … of mammoth proportions,” state governor Joe Manchin said of the blast that occurred at approximately 3pm local time Monday. As of Tuesday evening, 25 workers had been confirmed dead, four remain missing and two miners are being treated at medical centers.

Of those killed, 14 have still not been recovered and brought to the surface due to adverse atmospheric conditions, the same factor that is keeping crews from rescuing the missing.

Eleven workers have been identified; while officials have not confirmed names, the Associated Press and other local outlets released a list of those known to have lost their lives as of Tuesday evening:

• Cory Davis, 20
• Timmy Davis Sr, 51
• Steve Harrah, 40
• Josh Napper, 25 (two months experience)
• Gary Quarles, 33
• Deward Scott, 58
• Benny Willingham, 62
• Boone Payne, 52
• Carl Acord, 52
• Jason Atkins, 25

While rescue crews were awaiting approval to re-enter Upper Big Branch to resume search efforts as of press time, Manchin said that the drilling of four boreholes to a depth of about 1200 feet had started.

It could be Wednesday evening before the holes reach their destinations, as drills need to be sunk through two abandoned operations and into UBB’s section, but Massey chief operating officer Chris Adkins said in an afternoon press conference that he expected drilling of the first hole could be completed as soon as noon local time.

As of 7.30pm Tuesday evening, local new outlet WBNS said the drill had progressed about 160ft.

Of the four boreholes, Manchin said three would be used to ventilate the operation and release some of the methane. The fourth would be used to monitor conditions from the gassy mine, which normally liberates about 2 million cubic feet of CO2 every day.

US Mine Safety and Health Administration coal administrator Kevin Stricklin told media outlets Tuesday morning that it did not appear any of the 25 workers who had been confirmed dead were able to make it to one of the inflatable refuge chambers located in UBB’s sections, though hope was being held out for the four still unaccounted for.

The outlook, at least according to Massey chairman Don Blankenship, is grim for that group.

"We're not holding out much promise because they're in an area where other victims were," he said during the company’s press conference Tuesday.

As families await the latest word, Manchin encouraged them to go home Tuesday evening and rest as drilling progressed.

“The families want closure. They want names . ..these families are good people, hard-working people,” he said.

“They understand the challenges. Right now I told them to do what they do best. Love each other and come together as a family."

UBB’s history

Prior to Monday’s explosion, Massey’s Upper Big Branch had marked three worker deaths since 1998, all single fatalities. One utility worker was crushed in a roof collapse 12 years ago, and a rock fall killed another miner in 2001. In 2003, an electrician was fatally electrocuted while repairing equipment.

According to federal records, the mine has historically had an accident incidence rate higher than the national average, ending 2009 with a total operator non-fatal days lost rate of 5.81. In the five years prior, it fluctuated between a high of 6.87 in 2004 and a low of 2.41 in 2007.

The most recent federal inspection of UBB found issues with the mine’s dust collectors, as well as ventilation violations and escape routes that were marked inadequately. To date in 2010, Massey has been issued 124 violations and orders of various priorities; the mine had a total of 515 in 2009, up significantly from the 197 recorded the year before.

MSHA personnel have also been making unannounced weekly inspections of UBB since November 2009. The agency did not indicate cause in its statistical filing.

The 200-employee mine, owned by Massey Energy since 1994, produced 1.2 million tons of coal in 2009.

The Upper Big Branch explosion is the worst fatal US mining incident since December 1984, when 27 workers died in a fire at the Wilberg operation in Utah.

More industry unions react

United Mine Workers of America International president Cecil Roberts said Monday evening that, despite UBB’s status as a non-union mine, it was committing its resources to the needs of the families affected by the explosion and was sending staff members to the Raleigh County mine.

Two other industry unions were much more scornful of owner Massey Energy in their comments.

Washington-based International Brotherhood of Teamsters, led by general president James Hoffa, first offered condolences on behalf of the group’s 1.4 million members, but went on to call safety conditions at Upper Big Branch “deplorable”

“Federal records revealed that the mine operator, Performance Coal … was cited for 57 safety violations in March alone. These violations paint a frightening picture of corporate indifference to the safety of the miners," Hoffa said.

"This is a direct result of the erosion of mine safety regulations under the previous administration that allowed companies to prioritize profits over worker safety. We must redouble our efforts to strengthen worker safety and enforcement."

American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations president Richard Trumka echoed sympathy on behalf of its members and thanked mine rescue team members for their hard work and courage.

While he noted that safety had improved since the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act, which was passed and implemented 40 years ago last month, the industry was still hazardous and it had taken many miner deaths to see safety improvements in mining.

“This incident isn’t just a matter of happenstance, but rather the inevitable result of a profit-driven system and reckless corporate conduct,” Trumka said of Monday’s incident.

“Many mining companies have given too little attention to safety over the years and too much to the bottom line. Massey Mine, and its CEO Don Blankenship, have been cited for over 450 safety violations in this mine. Massey paid over $US1 million in fines in the past year alone – and has failed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more in fines that it is contesting.”

He reminded operations to be mindful to important safety issues and address them daily until every worker could go to their jobs in safety.

“Strict enforcement of regulations by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the additional protections a union membership brings are key factors to improving worker safety, and we will work to achieve that goal. In the meantime, let’s continue to pray for the safety of the missing miners.”

Keep reading ILN for the latest information on the Upper Big Branch explosion as it becomes available.