Three missing in an inactive West Virginia mine

Researchers were trying to reach three people suspected of being in a West Virginia coal mine, after that. a man had emerged and given information.

Contura Energy, whose affiliate, Elk Run Coal, is the owner of the property, said in a statement that the four people "allegedly violated and illegally entered a closed and inactive underground mine".

Governor Jim Justice's office said Tuesday afternoon that the man who left the mine on Monday night "informed officials of the three missing." People were still living in the mine and provided details on their whereabouts. "

According to the statement, officials were working Tuesday to remove stagnant water from an alternative inlet and inject fresh air into the mine. [19659007] Lieutenant MA McCray, Sheriff of Raleigh County, said that the man who had emerged from the mine had not been arrested, but had been interrogated and cooperated with the authorities. A criminal investigation will be opened at some point, but the current goal is to rescue those still in detention.

The judge stated that he authorized additional resources and personnel to help reach the three missing persons in the Rock House Powellton Mine in Raleigh County, southeast of Charleston.

"Our priority is to save these people and the safety of our mine rescue teams, and I have ordered the coordination of all the resources needed by the rescuers to continue to search the mine. what is in our power to speed up the rescue, "said the minister.

"Many prayers were answered when an individual came out of the mine with information about the location of others," he said in a statement. "We pray that they can be found quickly and secured."

The Mining Rescue Team of the Office of Health, Safety and Training of Minors was activated early Sunday After the discovery of an abandoned all-terrain vehicle, would have been found near the entrance to the mine, said the minister.

Rescue teams had to leave the abandoned mine Tuesday morning due to poor ventilation, reported NBC affiliate WVVA of Bluefield.

The station reported that, although the man who had left the mine was initially apprehended by law enforcement, he had been released to assist in the search.

The West Virginia National Guard was attending the search, spokesman Captain Holli Nelson said Monday. According to a source close to the mine, the mine has been closed for about two years.

People sometimes enter abandoned mines to explore or steal copper wires, McCray said, but officials do not know why they came in. According to McCray, entering an abandoned mine is a crime.

The judge stated that he met the families at a community center.

"These families, these friends and the whole community are really suffering and need to be in our prayers, we must also keep the mine rescue teams in our prayers as they try to make this rescue a success." , said justice.