Mexico Miners Remain Trapped in a Coahuila Flooded Mine
Ten miners in Mexico are still trapped in a coal mining site in Coahuila on Thursday, following an accident that occurred on Wednesday in the northern state.
Preliminary reports noted that only nine miners were trapped in the said site, but the federal government of Mexico updated the numbers of trapped to 10 as of 5 a.m. on August 4, per Infobae.
Mexico News Daily reported that the incident occurred after water flooded the mine while miners were working, prompting some of them to be trapped at the site.
Coahuila's state government also confirmed that miners carried out excavating work when they hit an adjoining area full of water, causing the shaft to collapse and flood the area, Al Jazeera reported.
In a statement, Mexico's Security Ministry contended that they will not stop until the 10 miners are found.
"The Mexican government guarantees all the necessary resources to carry out the search and rescue operations," the ministry added.
Civil Protection Director Laura Velazquez revealed on Thursday that five miners were able to get out and be rescued at the mine shortly after the accident took place. The first five survivors were brought to the clinics of the Mexican Social Security Institute, and two were already discharged.
One woman at the scene said in tears that two of her children worked in the mine, and only one of them managed to escape after the accident.
Mexico Pres. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Mining Accident in Coahuila
The mine is located near the small town of Agujitas, about 110 kilometers from the Texas border.
On Friday, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that a group of 30 military personnel and specialized equipment were at the scene of the accident on Wednesday night.
The president also noted that divers were also at the scene. Lopez Obrador furthered that he instructed the heads of the military, CFE, Pemex, and Conagua to support the search and rescue efforts.
"What I wish with all my soul is that we rescue the miners," Lopez Obrador underscored.
Mexico Mine Accident: Rescue Efforts Continue
The coal mine in Coahuila is reportedly made up of three shafts approximately 60 meters deep. Reports noted that miners were in pit 1 when they ran into an adjoining area full of water, prompting the collapse of the walls in the tunnels and flooding everything.
Mexico's National Defense Deputy Minister Agustin Radilla Suastegui noted that the water in the mine is estimated at 34 meters.
Rescuers plan to reduce the water in the pit through extractor pumps provided by the National Water Commission.
Velazquez emphasized that the number of pumps will also be increased, from five to seven, to allow rescuers to enter the mine, depending on the security conditions.
"Right now, the important thing is to place the pumps strategically to extract the greatest amount of water and have immediate access to the mines," Velazquez noted.
READ NEXT: California Border Agents Confiscate Drugs Worth $200K in 1 Day
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written By: Joshua Summers
WATCH: At Least 9 Coal Miners Trapped Inside Flooded Mine In Mexico - From TODAY