by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama, who had spoken by telephone with West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin on Monday night after a massive mine explosion that has claimed at least two dozen lives, today pledged the full support of the federal government.
"I want to send my deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of workers who lost their lives,'' Obama said today, noting that "there are still people missing.''
Obama addressed the mine disaster at the start of his remarks at a post-Easter prayer breakfast convened at the White House this morning.
"I would ask for the faithful gathered here this morning to pray for the safe return of those missing,'' the president said, asking for prayers as well for the relatives of those lost in the mining accident. "May their families find comfort in the weeks and months ahead.''
Twenty five miners died and four were missing after an enormous explosion in a West Virginia mine near Montcoal, the Upper Big Branch mine owned by Massey Energy Co., the largest coal producer in the Central Appalachian region.
It is the worst U.S. mining disaster since December 1984, when 27 workers died in a fire at the Wilberg Mine in Orangeville, Utah. U.S. mine safety laws were overhauled four years ago, after the deaths of 19 miners in a series of accidents in West Virginia and Kentucky.
Comments
Prez will have to make a trip down there.
Posted by: ornery | April 6, 2010 11:23 AM
Please, we do not need Obama to make a journey to the mine accident. And this has nothing to do with being a Democrat or Republican. There is nothing Obama can do there, nor anyone who would reside in the White House. Let the rescuers do their thing. Let the investigators do their thing. Let the governor do his thing. We don't need this unfortunate disaster to become another Obama Road Show event.
Posted by: John D | April 6, 2010 1:24 PM