Mine was dangerous as safety citations piled up

Two miners are in critical condition and four are still missing following the explosion of the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia yesterday. Ellen Smith, editor of Mine Safety and Health News tells us that the mine had an unusually high number of safety violations.

Last year saw a record low for mining fatalities nationwide and no one expected that a disaster like yesterday’s would happen again. However, the mine had numerous ventilation violations, which should have signaled that the mine was not safe. New York Times reporter, Ian Urbina is in West Virginia, where he is reporting on the community’s reactions. He says that people are losing hope for the last four workers who are stuck deep inside the mine.