Reflooding thwarts efforts to rescue trapped miners in northern Mexico
A view shows the coal mine El Pinabete, where a rescue operation for miners trapped after a collapse continues, in Sabinas, Coahuila state, Mexico. - REUTERS
MEXICO CITY: Reflooding has complicated efforts to rescue 10 miners trapped for 19 days in a coal mine in northern Mexico, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday.
Water levels inside the Pinabete mine, located in the town of Sabinas in Coahuila State, rose again as rescue efforts continue, Xinhua quoted the president as saying in his daily press conference.
"Unfortunately, we still haven't been able to rescue the Sabinas miners... progress was being made but then we had the bad luck of another hole opening up in the flooded mine next door and the water levels rose again," he said.
The national coordinator of civil protection Laura Velazquez said water levels at the mine's three coalpits reached between 28 and 31 metres high, and 13 water pumps with a combined horsepower of 930 were being used to expel the liquid.
According to authorities, the Pinabete mine collapsed on Aug 3 when miners dug into an adjoining area containing water. Water flooded three pits connected by tunnels, trapping the miners.
-- BERNAMA
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