Attempts have been made to reach the workers since the explosion occurred about 240 meters from the entrance to the mine. Food, medical supplies, blankets and batches of nutrient solution have been passed through a shaft to the 10 workers, who have shown a “gradual improvement” in their physical condition, according to rescue workers quoted by Xinhua.
According to state media, rescue teams hope to be able to pull the miners through a 711 millimeter (28 in) diameter passage. On Thursday afternoon, rescue workers had drilled 18 meters into the mine shaft, but heavy debris could slow the efforts.
Gong Haitao, deputy head of Yantai’s publicity department, said at a press conference on Thursday that the mine shaft has been blocked 350 to 446 meters below the surface by 70 tons of debris.
“Although the efficiency (of the rescue work) has improved since the 20th, it takes at least 15 days to clear the rescue channel in the main shaft due to the magnitude of the obstacles,” said Gong.
The miners have been underground for 12 days.
Gong added that rescuers are trying different ways to remove the obstacles, including using powerful machines and deploying more rescuers.
Concern about the uncontacted miners is growing. Some workers in the room are trying to help rescue workers locate their missing colleagues using laser pointers and speakers, but they have received no response, Xinhua reported.
Rescue workers have also drilled smaller channels in other parts of the mine and are lowering nutrient solutions and other means of detecting breathing or movement, but no signs of life have been observed.
Rescue workers are said to have heard knocking noises from people trapped for the first time on January 17, followed by the pulling of iron ropes. On Monday, miners could receive a note for rescue workers. Xinhua quoted the note as saying, “We are very exhausted and urgently need stomach medications, painkillers, medical tapes, external anti-inflammatory drugs, and three people have high blood pressure.”
