West Virginia mine explosion

Twenty-five miners are reported dead and four are missing after an accident at a West Virginia coal mine in the United States.



The accident was caused by an underground explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine some 30 miles (50 kilometres) south of Charleston in the eastern US.



The number of fatalities have made it the worst US mine disaster since 1984.



Safety officials say rescue efforts have been suspended as rising methane gas levels have heightened the risk of another explosion.



The operation is expected to resume as soon as conditions allow.