Families Of Trapped Miners 'Desperate'

Rescue Workers Burrowing Through Debris Clogging Mexican Mine

(CBS/AP) 
More than 36 hours of digging had pushed rescue teams 400 yards into the mine, about 110 yards from where two conveyor-belt operators were believed to be trapped, said Sergio Robles, director of emergency services for Coahuila state.

But others were thought to be trapped as far as one to three miles from the mine's entrance.

Robles said rescuers avoided using electric or gas-powered machinery because of the presence of explosive gases. Medical doctors were on the site to examine rescue workers as they emerged from their eight-hour shifts in the tunnels.

At least a dozen workers who were near the entrance at the time of the explosion were able to escape. They were treated for broken bones and burns.

Asked whether he believed there were more survivors, Robles said: "It would be difficult because of the presence of gas. But we are holding out hope of finding someone alive."

Robles said the roof of the mine was better reinforced after 400 meters, giving rescuers hope that they might be able to advance more quickly. He said if there were survivors, they could very well be trying to dig their way out.

Family members prepared for a second night outside the pit, huddling near bonfires and wrapped in blankets to protect against the bitter cold. Some pitched tents, while others slept on small cots or upright in plastic chairs.

"The only thing we want is information and all they tell us is that they don't know," said a sobbing Yadira Gallegos, whose 28-year-old brother-in-law, Jesus Martinez, was just finishing his first week at the mine.

The explosion occurred around 2:30 a.m. local time Sunday as the miners were in the middle of their overnight shift.

Consuelo Aguilar, a spokeswoman for the National Miners' Union, said there had been concern over safety conditions in Grupo Mexico mines. She called for an investigation into the cause of the accident and the responsibility of company officials.

Rebolledo said safety conditions met Mexican government requirements as well as international standards, "but accidents can always happen."

He said the union had raised no major disagreements over safety in annual meetings with the company and mine administrator Ruben Escudero denied any company negligence, saying, "These mines can't operate if they don't meet the established minimum requirements."

Pedro Camarillo, a federal labor official unrelated to Olivia Camarillo, told reporters during a news conference that officials found nothing unusual during a routine evaluation on Feb. 7.

As well as mining coal, Grupo Mexico is the world's third-largest copper producer, with operations in Mexico, Peru, and the United States.

Coahuila's worst modern mining disaster occurred in 1969, when more than 153 miners were killed in a pit at the village of Barroteran. In 2001, another 12 people died in an accident at a mine near Barroteran.