World | Philippines
Philippine rescue workers recover 2 more bodies from mine tragedy
Rescuers pulled out two dead bodies from a flooded gold mine in the northern Philippines on Thursday and hopes are fading of finding alive one remaining person who has been trapped underground for more than 10 days, officials said.
- Agencies
- Published: 07:43 October 2, 2008
Manila: Rescuers pulled out two dead bodies from a flooded gold mine in the northern Philippines on Thursday and hopes are fading of finding alive one remaining person who has been trapped underground for more than 10 days, officials said.
An estimated 16 people were trapped in the mine in northern Benguet province after a portion collapsed in heavy rain brought by a typhoon on September 22. Nine miners have been found alive and six bodies recovered from the pit.
"We're now focusing all our efforts to find the last miner inside the tunnel," George Baywong, an official from the state's mines and geosciences bureau, told reporters. "We want to get everyone out, dead or alive."
Lieutenant-Colonel Edgard Arevalo, a navy spokesman, said the search and rescue operations could be called off late on Thursday because hopes were fading of finding the remaining miner alive.
"Based on reports we're getting from the ground, there's very little chance of finding him alive," Arevalo said.
Late on Wednesday, rescuers found three men, who said they chewed on their clothes to survive for more than a week underground. Six men were found earlier this week.
Rescue teams, including divers from the Philippine Navy, took almost a week to clear the collapsed portion of the gold mine and reach the victims.
Heavy rain and a lack of oxygen tanks had hampered the rescue operation and last week officials had said there was virtually no hope of finding any of the miners alive.
The mine has been abandoned by the mining company that used to operate it, but many local people still enter it to scavenge for ore.
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
