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The Charleston Gazette has the latest on the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia, that has claimed at least 25 miners’ lives.

The deaths at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County already ranked as the worst U.S. coal-mining disaster in a quarter century, and officials feared the count would go even higher.

“We are still in that rescue operation mode,” said Gov. Joe Manchin, who raced to the mine site this morning from a vacation trip in Florida. “With that being said, three holes have to be drilled. The best I can tell you is that it’s going to be a very long day.”

Watch here for the story of one of the miners killed in the blast. He was weeks from retiring and had been planning a celebration cruise with his family. More on Benny Willingham at Coal Tattoo.

Red Cross is on the scene providing food, aid and comfort.

Keep the families and remaining missing four miners in your prayers.

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Iain Murray:

As I said during the last two mine disasters, at times like this I always remember the words of Tommy Armstrong, the Pitman’s Poet:

God protect the lonely widow,
Help to raise each drooping head;
Be a father to the orphans,
Never let them cry for bread.
Death will pay us all a visit,
They have only gone before;
We may meet the Trimdon victims
Where explosions are no more.