Cave-In Traps Miners
Category: HNN Broadcasted on 09. January 2003 - 17:16:01hrs Author HNN News Reporter Comments: 0
Rescue units were called into action earlier today after receiving word of a substantial cave-in at a Hapan mining facility deep in the cluster. Reports are still coming in, but it seems that a large portion of one of the mine’s many long tunnels collapsed unexpectedly, filling the shaft with thick clouds of dust and effectively sealing off the remainder of the tunnel, which possessed no other exits. A group of at least five miners is feared to have been working in that section of the tunnel when the cave-in occurred, and it was this possibility that prompted the swift response by Hapan mining officials and rescue teams.
Sensor units have already been brought in and carefully lowered down into the mine in order to try to determine just how far the cave-in extends. We have also just recently learned that these sensors have picked up life readings confirming that there are indeed six miners trapped beyond the cave-in, which extends for approximately a hundred meters. Communication with the trapped men has not yet been possible, so their exact condition and circumstances are uncertain, but they are certainly without food or fresh water and rapidly running out of air in the confined space.
Rescue efforts have already begun on the surface, where members of the Royal Engineering Corp have determined that, since the initial cause of the cave-in is still unknown, digging horizontally through the rumble may still be dangerous. Instead, they have erected an enormous large-bore drill on the surface above the mine, and intend to drill down through the earth into the space where the miners are trapped, providing both an airshaft and a means of rescue. We managed to speak briefly to one of the engineers involved in the rescue effort, before he hastened off to attend to the drilling, and he had this to say, “All we really know right now is that there are some folks trapped down there that we need to get out. They’re counting on us, and we’re not about to let them down.”
Hapan mining officials are still investigating the cause of the cave-in, and records show that disasters like this have been rare throughout the company’s long and productive history. For now, everyone is holding their breath and hoping for the best. We’ll have further information on this ongoing crisis as soon as more reports come in.
- Jaeld Alteir
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