HUNTINGTON, Utah (AP) — The desperate underground drive to reach six trapped miners was suspended indefinitely yesterday after a cave-in killed three rescuers inside a mountainside mine.
“Is there any possible way we can continue this underground operation and provide safety for the rescue workers? At this point we don’t have an answer,” said Richard Stickler, head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.
The collapse Thursday evening killed three rescue workers and injured at least six others who were trying to tunnel through rubble to reach six miners trapped since Aug. 6 inside the mountain. Mr. Stickler said mine-safety specialists were being summoned to central Utah to discuss the crisis.
“[Thursday] we went from a tragedy to a catastrophe,” Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said yesterday. He said the state would help federal officials in the investigation into the collapse.
Outside the mountain, crews were drilling a fourth hole for any sign of the six men, whose survival status still was unknown.
“Without question, we have suffered a setback and we have incurred an incredible loss, but this team remains focused on the task at hand,” said Rob Moore, vice president of Murray Energy Corp., co-owner of the Crandall Canyon Mine.
Notably absent from yesterday’s press conference was the co-owner of the mine, Bob Murray, whose emotional speeches have dominated the news of the six trapped miners.
“He wanted to be here. I’m certain you understand the reasons he could not be here this morning,” Mr. Moore said. He provided no details on Mr. Murray’s whereabouts.
Mr. Stickler said the fourth borehole had reached 600 feet below the surface, with 900 feet to go before it reaches the mine. Officials are aiming for the spot where mysterious vibrations were detected for a few minutes Wednesday.
“We hope to find the miners alive when that borehole goes into the mine. We can keep them alive lowering water and food through the borehole,” he said.
Thursday’s collapse was a devastating turn for the families of the six trapped miners, and for the relatives of those trying to rescue them.
The cave-in at 6:39 p.m. was thought to be caused by a “mountain bump,” in which shifting ground expels chunks of rock from the walls.
The president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMW), Cecil E. Roberts, blamed the mine’s owners and federal officials for the latest tragedy. Owners of the nonunion mine had rejected UMW offers to help in the rescue effort, saying they had all the help they needed.
“This disaster has only compounded what was already an immense tragedy. Making the situation much worse is the fact that all of these deaths were needless and preventable,” Mr. Roberts said from union headquarters in Fairfax, Va.
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