**Rescue teams have been forced to retreat for the third time from their search for four missing miners after an explosion on Monday.**The blast in the West Virginia mine killed 25 in the deadliest mining disaster since 1984.
The crew on Friday reached one chamber where the the workers may have sought refuge, dimming hopes that they remain alive.
They were then forced to pull out after finding thick smoke and fearing fire.
Although teams were unable to search the second and last chamber where the workers could be, there is now little hope that they have survived the accident.
Officials and miners’ families had hoped that those missing had made it into one of the two refuge chambers, even though there has been so sign of life from the mines since the blast.
‘Emotional’
It is the third attempt to find those missing, after crews were withdrawn amid concerns over toxic gases which could have lead to another explosion.
But victims’ families say they understand the delays.
“We know it takes time. We know they have to wait until the threat level goes down,” said Pamela Lynch, whose husband Melvin emerged unharmed from the mine after the explosion.
“If not, we’ll have more casualties. And that’s the last thing this community needs.”
This time, rescuers had to retreat after making their way about 1,000ft (300m) below the surface and about five miles (8 km) into the massive coal mine.
“It’s very emotional for all the rescuers,” said Kevin Stricklin, coal administrator from the Mine Safety & Health Administration.
Officials said a hole is being drilled down into the second chamber and that cameras will be deployed to search out the areas.
The bodies of 18 of the 25 confirmed dead workers remain inside the damaged mine.
After the previous attempt failed, Governor Joe Manchin had said there was only a “sliver of hope” of finding the missing four alive.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.