Welsh mine tragedy: Inquests to open on Gleision deaths

Inquests are due to open on the four miners who become trapped in a flooded Swansea Valley mine.

Charles Breslin, Phillip Hill, Garry Jenkins and David Powell died at Gleision Colliery earlier this month.

The formal hearing will open in Swansea, as investigations into the cause of the tragedy are continuing.

Meanwhile it has been announced the funerals of Mr Breslin, Mr Hill and Mr Jenkins will take place on different days this week.

A date for Mr Powell's funeral has yet to be set.

Post-mortem examinations found the four men died as a result of flooding in the pit in in Cilybebyll, near Pontardawe, on 15 September.

Three others managed to escaped as flood water engulfed the mine. A major rescue operation was launched but the bodies of the four dead men were recovered the following day.

South Wales Police said they were continuing to work with the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the incident and inquiries could last up to three months.

An appeal fund launched to support the families of the four miners who were killed has now raised over £200,000.

Among those raising money last weekend was the Treorchy Male Choir, which has a long history connected to the mining community.

David Bebb, the choir chairman, said: "Today in Wales we don't expect to hear of colliery disasters.

"When the events took place at Gleision Colliery it reminded us very much of the dangers our own choristers as well as our forefathers, went through while working underground, which is why we wanted to contribute towards the fund."

Staff at the Royal Mail's 124 offices in Wales are holding a minute's silence at 08:00 BST on Tuesday.

There will also be a collection in each office for the fund.