On April 5 , 2010 an explosion at Massey 's Upper Big Branch mine killed 29 miners . It was the worst U.S. coal mining disaster since 1970 , when an explosion killed 38 in Hyden , Kentucky . NPR reported Massey executive Stanley Suboleski as saying that MSHA ordered airflow changes , made hours before the explosion , " were changes the company opposed but complied with anyway . " On April 12 , New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli , trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund which held 303,550 shares of Massey stock , called for Blankenship to resign immediately . " This tragedy was a failure both of risk management and effective board oversight . Blankenship must step down and make room for more responsible leadership at Massey . " On April 22 , Massey Energy 's lead independent director Bobby R. Inman announced that " Blankenship has the full support and confidence of the Massey Energy Board of Directors . " On April 25 , President Barack Obama , Vice President Joe Biden , and state officials paid tribute to the 29 coal miners at a memorial service in Beckley , West Virginia
explosion at Massey 's Upper Big Branch mine
Upper Big Branch Mine disaster
Don Blankenship