Officials at the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah said Sunday that six miners trapped for nearly two weeks may never be found. The pessimistic tone follows new information from a fourth hole drilled down into the mine that indicated there wasn't enough oxygen present to sustain life.
Officials at the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah on Sunday conceded that six miners trapped for nearly two weeks may never be found.
"It's likely these miners may not be found," Murray Energy Corporation Vice President Rob Moore said at a news conference Sunday.
The six men have not been heard from since the Crandall Canyon Mine collapsed on Aug. 6. Tunneling efforts to find the miners were halted after part of the mine collapsed on Thursday, killing three rescue workers. In the wake of that accident, those leading the rescue say it may not be safe for anyone to go back in to continue the search.
The pessimistic tone follows new information gained from a fourth hole that was drilled down into the mine. A camera showed the area was partially collapsed, and air readings indicated there wasn't enough oxygen present to sustain life.
Moore says that his company intends to re-open other areas of the mine where coal reserves exist. Family members responded to the news with emotions ranging from frustration to anger.
Despite the faded hopes, rescuers still plan to drill a fifth hole into another part of the mine.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDAzMjM2NDYzMDEyMzc1Njk5NjAxNzY3OQ001))
