Russian rescuers race to save 13 trapped in collapsed gold mine
Al Jazeera
Officials believe miners are still alive as specialists drill down through hundreds of metres of rock to establish contact.
Teams are scrambling to save at least 13 workers trapped underground after a gold mine collapsed in eastern Russia.
Officials reported “difficult” conditions on Wednesday, as rescuers continued battling rubble and water in a bid to save the miners, who are believed trapped 390 feet (120 metres) underground. They’ve been there since Monday, when the Pioneer mine in the far-eastern Amur region, was hit by a rockslide.
“The situation remains difficult,” Amur Governor Vasily Orlov said on Telegram. While reporting that there has still been no communication with the trapped miners, he said it is believed that they are still alive.
Rescuers are attempting to drill through several hundred metres of rock in an attempt to establish contact with the men and assess their condition.
“Even if the passage does not lead to people, it will be possible to lower a camera into it to assess the situation and lay communication lines,” said Orlov.
