Considering mine safety after W. Va. blast

Monday night’s explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia, left 25 confirmed dead and four more miners missing underground. Rescue operations were stalled yesterday because conditions were deemed too dangerous. The mine is owned by Massey Energy Company, which was immediately criticized for allowing egregious and numerous safety violations. Massey’s CEO, Don Blankenship, responded in an interview with the Metronews radio network in West Virginia, saying, ?violations are unfortunately a normal part of the mining process. There are violations at every coal mine in America.?

We get the latest on the rescue efforts and reactions from the community from Jessica Lilly, a reporter with West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Jessica has been on the scene since Monday evening. We also talk with Celeste Monforton, who worked for the Mine Safety and Health Administration for six years, about what can be done to make conditions safer for miners.