Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.

Air Tests 'Discouraging' in Area Where 13 Miners are Trapped
------------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=106D015:3919ACA Miners have been
missing since an explosion in a West Virginia coal mine early Monday







Rod Anderson, left, and Mike Light work on drilling rig on hillside in
Tallmansville, W.Va., TuesdayRescue teams in West Virginia say they
are discouraged by the results of air quality tests in an underground
shaft where 13 miners are believed to be trapped.

Ben Hatfield, head of the company International Coal Group, Inc.,
which owns the Sago coal mine, said tests showed carbon monoxide
levels far higher than what humans can tolerate. But he said rescuers
are not giving up hope.

Emergency crews punched a hole into the underground labyrinth early
Tuesday, creating an opening 16 centimeters wide. Through that, they
tested the air and sent down a camera and a listening device, but
neither yielded any clues.

The miners have been missing since an explosion 79 meters underground
early Monday.

Hundreds of people have gathered at a nearby church to pray and wait
for news.

Some information for this report provided by AP.




.