An explosion at a coal mine near Charleston, West Virginia killed at least seven miners on Monday, and at least 19 people were missing.
Massey Coal CEO Don Blankenship said 7 miners are dead and 19 others missing in a coal mine explosion earlier in the day in U.S. state of West Virginia.
Reports later said 28 were unaccounted for.
"It is with a heavy heart that Massey Energy confirms at this hour 7 dead and 19 miners unaccounted for. However, until we are able to notify next-of-kin, we will not release their names," Blankenship said in a statement, promising the company is "taking every action possible to locate and rescue those still missing."
Ron Wooten, director of West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training, told local media earlier that six miners were dead and 21 others were missing, following an explosion at Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, an underground mine operated by Massey Energy subsidiary Performance Coal Co. The mine is located at about 50 km south of Charleston, capital of
West Virginia.
Reports said another 21 miners were evacuated, and they were being treated for injuries. The reason of the explosion was unclear at the moment.
Wooten said the explosion occurred at about 3 p.m. Monday. Massey Energy didn't immediately provide further details with regard to the casualties,
extent of damage or if there were people trapped inside, saying those numbers are "uncertain" at the time.