At press time, 25 workers had been confirmed dead as efforts were being continued to rescue the remaining four that are missing underground at the Raleigh County operation, which is owned by Massey Energy and operated by subsidiary Performance Coal.

US President Barack Obama reiterated the government’s commitment Tuesday morning to provide any needed help and offered condolences to the grieving families.

“I spoke with Governor Manchin of West Virginia last night and told him that the federal government stands ready to offer whatever assistance is needed in this rescue effort,” he said in a press conference.

“So I would ask the faithful … to pray for the safe return of the missing, the men and women who put their lives on the line to save them, and the souls of those who have been lost in this tragic accident. May they rest in peace and may their families find comfort in the hard days ahead.”

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi added that the tragic loss was being felt throughout the nation, and that the incident had put the spotlight on mine safety shortfalls.

“This tragedy is a clear reminder of the need for continued vigorous oversight of the mining industry and rigorous enforcement of safety standards for America’s mines,” she said.

“We must do everything in our power to minimize the risks to our mine workers and ensure they can do their jobs without threat to their wellbeing.”

The National Mining Association released two comments, one immediately following the explosion and one Tuesday after learning of the increased death toll. Both statements by association president Hal Quinn highlighted the loss felt by the entire mining community, and the need for continued mine safety vigilance.

"US mining has made tremendous strides in ensuring the safety of all those who work in America’s mines. That work has culminated in record safety performance in 2008 and 2009,” he said.

“Today’s events are a tragic reminder of the work that remains to be done to achieve our goal of zero accidents in the nation’s mines."

Following the lead of Manchin Monday evening, who in a statement committed the state’s resources as needed, several regulatory officials from the region’s coalfields also spoke out.

Representative Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Robert Byrd, both strong industry allies, expressed sympathy, with Byrd pointing out that “every second counts”

“My utmost hope is that our experienced and well-trained mine rescue teams and first responders will be able to keep further casualties to a minimum,” he said.

State Representative Jay Rockefeller called the devastation to families and the industry “unimaginable”, especially when some families remained in the dark regarding the fate of their loved ones Tuesday evening.

“For the families and friends of those still missing and for those who have not heard any news at all, I wish so much I could ease your pain and I pray for their safety and hope for a miracle,” he said.

“The wait is unbearable and it is something no one should ever have to go through. Right now, our number one priority is bringing the missing miners to safety.”

Rockefeller said that would “will demand answers” as to the cause and reminded those not involved in mining to appreciate the work of coal miners.

“We will leave no stone unturned in determining how this happened and in taking action for the future,” he said.

“We sometimes feel coal mining is misunderstood, or even disrespected by others across the country. I ask that Americans pause today to consider the enormous scope of our coal miners' contributions and tenacity, what their work means to the quality of life of every single one of us, and to try to understand how deeply personal this loss is to our state, our people, and Appalachia.”

State Representative Nick Rahall responded to the events in kind, saying “there will be accountability” as the nation reels from the worst fatal mining accident in more than two decades.

“I want to know why this tragedy happened; there will be a thorough investigation. We will seek answers about the cause of this disaster,” he said.

“We will look for inadequacies in the law and enforcement practices, and I will work to fix any we find. We will scrutinize the health and safety violations at this mine to see whether the law was circumvented and miners’ precious lives were willfully put at risk.”

While the West Virginia Coal Association has not yet released a public statement regarding the incident, neighboring coal advocacy group the Kentucky Coal Association said it was closely monitoring progress at Upper Big Branch Tuesday and sent condolences on behalf of the state’s 17,000 miners.

“The tragedy comes after the safest year in mining on record in the United States; in 2009, 34 miners were killed on the job. That is the lowest number in nearly a century,” KCA president Bill Bissett pointed out.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone involved and we remain hopeful that the missing miners will be located.”