Being called the worst U.S. mine disaster since 1984, a ground shattering explosion in the depths of the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia has seen the deaths of 25 miners. The accident happened around 3pm on Easter Monday due to what was suspected to be hazardous conditions at the mine, including the venting of combustible methane gas. Rescue teams arrived swiftly, working long into the night amidst the weeping mining community as the death toll climbed. The search had to be temporarily called off early Tuesday morning as the poison gases were obstructing and endangering the crew, all the while hope dwindled for any remaining survivors, including a confirmed four individuals who were unaccounted for. Officials remained optimistic, remembering the mine's emergency escape routes that lead to specially reinforced, airtight chambers about a mile and a half below the Earth's surface. Anyone who made their way to this safe spot will find enough food, water and air to last for several days.

West Virginia governor, Joe Manchin, gives an unsettling recount of the scene after the accident, stating that the mine's train rails "looked like they had been twisted like a pretzel...It had to be an horrific explosion to cause that kind of damage." A tragic surprise, but according to U.S. records, recent violations seemed to foreshadow the disaster; on February 21, cracking and collapsing of mine walls were noted. Five more citations occurred in the month of March alone. In 2009, the company was fined more than $382,000 by federal inspectors for repeated serious violations involving its ventilation and equipment at the mine, reports the Ledger-Enquirer.

Condolences have erupted from across the country, including from President Barack Obama who lent his "deepest condolences" to the affected families and spoke to Manchin about help with the rescue effort. At an Easter prayer breakfast, he says, "I would ask that the faithful who've gathered here this morning pray for the safe return of the missing, the men and women who've put their lives on the line to save them, and the souls of those who have been lost in this tragic accident. May they rest in peace and may their families find comfort in the hard days ahead."