W.Va. governor seeks mine shelters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Gov. Joe Manchin proposed Monday adding emergency shelters to the array of new safety gear mandated in response to what has become one of the deadliest years in West Virginia's underground mines.
The governor wants all 315 underground mines to contain at least one rescue chamber stocked with enough air, food and water for at least 24 hours.
Manchin's shelter proposal would amend emergency rules filed earlier this month as part of the state's new mine safety law.
The governor persuaded legislators to pass the safety legislation after the deadly accidents. So far, 16 miners have died in accidents this year.
In Canada, airtight chambers packed with food, water and extra air supplies helped 72 miners survive a fire in their underground potash mine last month.