Agujita , Mexico, Aug 11 (AFP\/APP):Rescuers trying to enter a flooded Mexican coal mine where 10 workers have been trapped for more than a week have encountered obstructions blocking their advance, authorities said Thursday.<\/p>\n
A soldier wearing a helmet and military fatigues and equipped with a scuba tank descended into one of the mine shafts in a metal cage on Wednesday, emerging minutes later visibly wet.<\/p>\n
The rescue team made four attempts to explore the crudely constructed El Pinabete mine in the northern state of Coahuila, but debris prevented them from entering the gallery, officials said.<\/p>\n
“They found that they don’t have room to move forward. There are obstructions,” Defense Minister Luis Cresensio Sandoval said.<\/p>\n
Rescuers would keep trying to gain access, the general told reporters in Mexico City.<\/p>\n
Five workers managed to escape in the initial aftermath of the accident on August 3, but there has been no contact with the others.<\/p>\n
Two underwater drones have been deployed in the operation in Agujita, as have hundreds of soldiers and other rescuers, 25 water pumps and seven drills.<\/p>\n
According to authorities, the flood occurred as miners were carrying out excavation work and hit an adjoining mine full of water.<\/p>\n
The focus so far has been on pumping out water from the 60-meter (200-feet) deep mine.<\/p>\n
The water in the shafts had fallen significantly, from more than 30 meters, but was still several meters deep, authorities said.<\/p>\n
“We will be evaluating it throughout the day. We have to be careful not to endanger anyone,” civil defense national coordinator Laura Velazquez said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Agujita , Mexico, Aug 11 (AFP\/APP):Rescuers trying to enter a flooded Mexican coal mine where 10 workers have been trapped for more than a week have encountered obstructions blocking their advance, authorities said Thursday. A soldier wearing a helmet and military fatigues and equipped with […]<\/p>\n
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