Explosion at U.S. coal mine kills 6, 21 missing

Ron Wooten, director of West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training, told local media 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. That would put the number of people underground at the time of explosion at 48. 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; Kazinform cites Xinhua.