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Nine men trapped after rockfall in Peruvian mine Peru trapped miners: rescue operation 'could take days'
(about 21 hours later)
Rescue workers in Peru are trying to free nine miners trapped underground by a rockfall at a depth of more than 200m (650ft). The operation to free nine Peruvian miners trapped underground by a rockfall at a depth of more than 200m (650ft) could take up to three more days, the government has said.
The miners are receiving oxygen and drinks through a hose. Fresh collapses at the Cabeza de Negro mine are responsible for the delay, said cabinet chief Oscar Valdes.
But rescuers have so far been unable to get heavy machinery to the Cabeza de Negro copper and gold mine in the south of Peru. The miners, who have been trapped since Thursday, are not injured and are being given oxygen and drinks through a tube.
They have communicated with the miners, who said the had no serious injuries but were feeling desperate. The mine is located in Ica, some 300km (185 miles) south of the capital, Lima.
The mine is located north of the city of Ica, more than 300km (185 miles) south of the Peruvian capital, Lima. Rescuers, including police officers and firefighters, have communicated with the miners, who are aged between 22 and 59, through the tube and although none of them is hurt, some are feeling anxious or desperate.
"They're alive, but we can't use diggers because of the difficulty of getting them up the steep hill," rescue worker Erin Gomez told the AFP news agency. Heavy machinery
Mr Gomez said he hoped they would be able to free the men later on Saturday or on Sunday, but he warned that the rescue could be delayed if there were any further rockfalls. An improvised camp, comprised of the miners' family members and the emergency services, has sprung up near the mine as the rescue operation has unfolded.
However, as of yet, rescuers have been unable to get heavy machinery to the mine.
Rescue worker Erin Gomez told the AFP news agency: "They're alive, but we can't use diggers because of the difficulty of getting them up the steep hill.
"Due to the cave-ins late Saturday we don't know exactly the distance between rescuers and the miners but communication has been maintained constantly."
Besides Mr Valdes, the government has also sent Peru's Mining and Energy Minister Jorge Merino to the scene.
Cabeza de Negro is one of Peru's many wildcat mines, where miners take high risks to extract copper and other metals.Cabeza de Negro is one of Peru's many wildcat mines, where miners take high risks to extract copper and other metals.
Last year, more than 50 people died in accidents in Peru's silver, gold and copper mines.Last year, more than 50 people died in accidents in Peru's silver, gold and copper mines.