Mexican officials said on Friday there were “conditions” to enter the mine in the north of the country, where 10 workers were trapped in a flood for nine days, rekindling their relatives’ hope after two days of slow progress.
“Today we have all the conditions to go down (…) search and rescue the miners,” said Laura Velázquez, coordinator of the National Civil Protection, at President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s morning conference.
Velázquez explained that the operation will be possible thanks to the “removal of 97% of the water” flooding the coal mine in the city of Agujita (Northern Coahuila province).
The necessary resources are ready to start search and rescue efforts,” he said.
National Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval said at the same conference that the water level in one of the three wells to be attempted was 70 centimeters, compared to 30 meters the day after the accident.
“God bless”
“With this level, they can get in. God forbid,” David Huerta, 35, the brother-in-law of one of the workers, told AFP.
Although Huerta has already quit mining in the so-called “pocitos,” a risky craft method for extracting coal, Huerta says he has devoted himself to the business for almost 13 years.
He explains that by reaching the bottom of the wells, the “plate” area of the mine was likely where the workers were.
“There, teams can get in and search faster,” he adds.
In the other two wells, level 3.9 and 4.7 meters, military command has been added. The level that authorities consider ideal for access is 1.5 meters.
“Still, we will continue to pump, the pumping will not stop. Some pumps will be replaced (with smaller ones). It’s a slow process but we don’t want to take any risks,” said the Civil Protection coordinator.
Activity around the well
At the rescue site, activity was observed that appeared to be the well with the lowest water level, which AFP confirmed the presence of operators and military personnel.
Some give instructions and others observe the field, clearly preparing for the rescuers’ eventual entry.
Outside the security perimeter, family members were waiting for their relatives to leave or for a phone call inside the operation area to learn the details of the report submitted each morning by the authorities regarding the activities planned for that day.
The government’s announcement gives hope to the local community. On Thursday night, a group of about 15 women arrived on the scene, holding candles and singing religious songs.
The accident occurred on August 3 when the wall of a flooded and abandoned mine collapsed, flooding the well where 15 miners were working. Five of them managed to escape.
Since then, no signs of life have appeared for the remaining 10 workers, from whom several hundred people have been rescued, including soldiers, Civil Protection personnel and volunteer miners.
source: Noticias
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