13 coal miners trapped in West Virginia mine

January 3, 2006 13 American coal miners were trapped 2 miles (3 kilometers) inside the Sago coal mine in the US state of West Virginia. They were trapped since 6:40 am Eastern, Monday, January 2 following a methane gas explosion which caused the shaft to collapse. Rescue operations have commenced and at last report they were 1,400 feet from the location of the miners.

Governor Joe Manchin, who lost an uncle in a 1968 mining disaster is there along with families who held a vigil in the Sago Baptist Church.