Rescuers try to reach Chile miners
Source: Agencies |
August 7, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RESCUERS struggled yesterday to reach about 34 miners trapped in a small copper and gold mine in northern Chile after a cave-in a day earlier, though authorities hoped the miners have taken refuge in an underground shelter with oxygen and water.
Local officials had no details about the condition of the people trapped in the mine located 45 kilometers from the northern city of Copiapo.
Major mining accidents are uncommon in Chile, the world's top copper producer, as authorities keep strict controls over operations. The accident, which occurred late on Thursday and shut down the mine, is not expected to hurt the country's copper output.
The region's superintendent, Ximena Matas, said the miners could have huddled in a shelter that contains enough oxygen and food "for them to last for some time."
"We pray to God that they are at the shelter," said Matas, adding that rescuers are advancing slowly to reach the miners, who are believed to be trapped several kilometers inside the mine.
Television images showed dozens of crying relatives waiting outside the underground mine located in Chile's arid, northern Atacama region.
"We hope they are all fine, but we are also angry because we have no information about our relatives," said a woman outside the mine.
Local officials had no details about the condition of the people trapped in the mine located 45 kilometers from the northern city of Copiapo.
Major mining accidents are uncommon in Chile, the world's top copper producer, as authorities keep strict controls over operations. The accident, which occurred late on Thursday and shut down the mine, is not expected to hurt the country's copper output.
The region's superintendent, Ximena Matas, said the miners could have huddled in a shelter that contains enough oxygen and food "for them to last for some time."
"We pray to God that they are at the shelter," said Matas, adding that rescuers are advancing slowly to reach the miners, who are believed to be trapped several kilometers inside the mine.
Television images showed dozens of crying relatives waiting outside the underground mine located in Chile's arid, northern Atacama region.
"We hope they are all fine, but we are also angry because we have no information about our relatives," said a woman outside the mine.
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