Gases force crews to abandon W.Va. mine rescue

MONTCOAL, W.Va. (AP) — Dangerous gases forced rescue crews to abandon the search today for four coal miners missing since an explosion killed 25 colleagues in the worst U.S. mining disaster in more than two decades.

Rescuers had been working their way through the Upper Big Branch mine by rail car and on foot early today, but officials said they had to turn back because of an explosive mix of gases in the area they needed to search.

"We think they are in danger, and that's the whole intent of evacuating them from the mine," said Kevin Stricklin of the Mine Health and Safety Administration. "We couldn't let the rescue teams underground any longer based on the readings."

The rescuers made it to within about 1,000 feet of an airtight chamber with four days worth of food, water and oxygen where they hoped the miners might have sought refuge. They did not make it far enough to see the bodies of the dead or determine if anyone had made it to the chamber.