FBI Conducting Criminal Probe of Mine Blast
By KRIS MAHER And SIOBHAN HUGHES
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting a criminal investigation into the April 5 explosion at a Massey Energy Co. mine that killed 29 miners in Montcoal, W.Va., according to a person familiar with the matter.
Massey said in a statement that it would cooperate with the FBI investigation. "We are aware that investigators are interviewing witnesses, but are not aware of the nature of their investigation," the company said. "We intend to cooperate in all phases of the accident investigation."
Massey said in a second statement Friday that it "has no knowledge of criminal wrongdoing." It also said, "It is not uncommon that an accident of the size and scope of UBB would lead to a comprehensive investigation by relevant law enforcement agencies."
Separately, an attorney representing family members of a miner killed in the explosion, the worst U.S. coal mining accident in 40 years, said he had been contacted Friday by the U.S. Attorney for Southern West Virginia. The attorney said he did not believe the call was related to an FBI investigation. He declined to say what information the U.S. Attorney's office was seeking.
Bill Carter, an FBI spokesman, declined to comment. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney for Southern West Virginia referred a call to the Department of Justice. A spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to confirm any investigation related to the April 5 accident.
Write to Kris Maher at kris.maher@wsj.com and Siobhan Hughes at siobhan.hughes@dowjones.com
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