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President Obama To Attend Funeral Services For Miners

President Obama and the Vice President Biden will travel to Beckley, West Virginia, to participate in a memorial service for the miners lost in the April 5th tragedy at Upper Big Branch mine.

President Obama will deliver a eulogy honoring the lives of those who perished and offering his deepest condolences to the loved ones they left behind.

Prior to the service, the President and the Vice President will meet with family members of the miners who lost their lives.

Earlier this month the president issued a statement calling for safe working conditions for miners. "All Americans deserve to work in a place that is safe, and we must take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that all our miners are as safe as possible so that a disaster like this doesn't happen again."


Mining accidents are a common occupational hazard and vary in causes including leaks of poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulphide or explosive natural gases, dust explosions, collapsing of mine stopes, mining-induced seismicity flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment (such as safety lamps or electrical equipment). Use of improper explosives underground can also trigger methane and coal dust explosions.  (Source)

The West Virginia mine, the site of the deadliest mining incident in 40 years, is owned by Massey Energy. The company was cited last year for more than 500 safety violations. 

More than 27 miners lost their lives in the Massey mine incident.

"We cannot bring back the men we lost. What we can do, in their memory, is thoroughly investigate this tragedy and demand accountability", said President Obama.

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