Gleision mine disaster: How the tragedy unfolded

The manager and owners of a Swansea Valley mine where four miners died have been cleared of manslaughter.

Charles Breslin, 62, David Powell, 50, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, drowned in 2011 when 650,000 gallons of water flooded the Gleision drift mine following a controlled explosion.

Manager Malcolm Fyfield, 58, and mine owners MNS Mining had denied manslaughter through gross negligence.

Key to the case was whether Mr Fyfield inspected the mine as he said he did.

Mr Fyfield stood trembling and broke down in tears as the not guilty verdicts were read out at Swansea Crown Court.

Abigail Neal reports on the background to the tragedy.

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