This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-14938837
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Trapped miners: Rescuers in Swansea Valley 'hopeful' | Trapped miners: Rescuers in Swansea Valley 'hopeful' |
(40 minutes later) | |
Rescuers say they are "hopeful and optimistic" that four miners trapped 90m (295ft) underground will be freed. | Rescuers say they are "hopeful and optimistic" that four miners trapped 90m (295ft) underground will be freed. |
The men have been trapped by water at Gleision Colliery near Cilybebyll, Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley since Thursday morning. | The men have been trapped by water at Gleision Colliery near Cilybebyll, Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley since Thursday morning. |
No contact has yet been made with the miners but emergency services are pumping water from the mine. | No contact has yet been made with the miners but emergency services are pumping water from the mine. |
Two men escaped and a third is at Morriston Hospital in a critical condition. | Two men escaped and a third is at Morriston Hospital in a critical condition. |
Prime Minister David Cameron said his thoughts were with the men and their family and friends "at this very difficult time". | |
Chris Margetts, from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "What we have determined is the miners are located approximately 90m underground. | Chris Margetts, from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "What we have determined is the miners are located approximately 90m underground. |
"They are down a 250m main route into the mine... there are numerous little tunnels and old workings which all potentially have air pockets in. | "They are down a 250m main route into the mine... there are numerous little tunnels and old workings which all potentially have air pockets in. |
"They are experienced miners, they know the layout of the mine, they would know where to go in this situation. | "They are experienced miners, they know the layout of the mine, they would know where to go in this situation. |
"What we are dealing with is their egress out of the mine is full of water." | "What we are dealing with is their egress out of the mine is full of water." |
He said conditions in the mine were favourable and he was "very hopeful and optimistic" the men could be freed successfully. | He said conditions in the mine were favourable and he was "very hopeful and optimistic" the men could be freed successfully. |
'Desperately serious' | 'Desperately serious' |
Ali Thomas, leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said the miners are "great guys" and he had spoken to some of their families. | |
"They [the miners' families] are obviously distressed but I'm sure they are praying for the safe return of their loved ones," he said. | |
"I know at least two of the four and I'm quietly optimistic, given that they might have found a safe haven this morning, that they will still be there." | |
Neath MP Peter Hain said he understood rescuers were using a parallel tunnel to pump oxygen into the mine while also attempting to pump water out. | Neath MP Peter Hain said he understood rescuers were using a parallel tunnel to pump oxygen into the mine while also attempting to pump water out. |
"This is a desperately serious situation. I have talked to all the families concerned who are my constituents," he said. | "This is a desperately serious situation. I have talked to all the families concerned who are my constituents," he said. |
"The police and the rescue services have assured me that everything possible is being done to rescue these men." | "The police and the rescue services have assured me that everything possible is being done to rescue these men." |
He said two of the miners involved were father and son, with the son escaping earlier while the father was still trapped. | He said two of the miners involved were father and son, with the son escaping earlier while the father was still trapped. |
It is thought the men became trapped by water after breaking into old mine workings. | It is thought the men became trapped by water after breaking into old mine workings. |
Andrew Watson, who runs the Mines Rescue Service and is co-ordinating the rescue, said the source of the water was unknown. | Andrew Watson, who runs the Mines Rescue Service and is co-ordinating the rescue, said the source of the water was unknown. |
"The most essential bit of kit we've got is long-duration breathing apparatus and access to pumps which will remove the water out of the mine," he said. | "The most essential bit of kit we've got is long-duration breathing apparatus and access to pumps which will remove the water out of the mine," he said. |
"The key with the breathing apparatus is to get people into the mine and getting information back to the surface so we can concentrate our efforts." | "The key with the breathing apparatus is to get people into the mine and getting information back to the surface so we can concentrate our efforts." |
He said the amount of water in the mine was "unknown". | He said the amount of water in the mine was "unknown". |
'Working very hard' | 'Working very hard' |
The mine owners MNS said their thoughts were with the families. | The mine owners MNS said their thoughts were with the families. |
First Minister Carwyn Jones said the mine was underneath a steep slope near the River Tawe. | First Minister Carwyn Jones said the mine was underneath a steep slope near the River Tawe. |
"Nevertheless, we know the emergency services are working very hard and we know the mine is in a difficult position to reach," he said. | "Nevertheless, we know the emergency services are working very hard and we know the mine is in a difficult position to reach," he said. |
Meanwhile, a dedicated telephone line has been set up for members of the public to contact if they are concerned that relatives may have been involved. The number is 01792 555565. | Meanwhile, a dedicated telephone line has been set up for members of the public to contact if they are concerned that relatives may have been involved. The number is 01792 555565. |
Emergency services, which were called to the mine at 09:21 BST, said it was not yet known exactly how the incident happened. | Emergency services, which were called to the mine at 09:21 BST, said it was not yet known exactly how the incident happened. |
Supt Phil Davies said though there was water in the mine there was nothing preventing access. | Supt Phil Davies said though there was water in the mine there was nothing preventing access. |
"There is not a blockage issue in the mine, it is a water issue which we are currently trying to drain," he said. | "There is not a blockage issue in the mine, it is a water issue which we are currently trying to drain," he said. |
"We are dealing with a difficult rescue operation but we are doing everything possible." | "We are dealing with a difficult rescue operation but we are doing everything possible." |
Two more men escaped unaided from the drift mine - a mine cut into the side of a hill where the coal seam is accessed horizontally - before emergency services arrived. | Two more men escaped unaided from the drift mine - a mine cut into the side of a hill where the coal seam is accessed horizontally - before emergency services arrived. |
Supt Davies would not comment on reports that the colliery owner was one of the trapped men. | Supt Davies would not comment on reports that the colliery owner was one of the trapped men. |
Phil White, a former director of Tower Colliery, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which closed in 2008, said: "Gleision Colliery has been working for some time under a private licence. | Phil White, a former director of Tower Colliery, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which closed in 2008, said: "Gleision Colliery has been working for some time under a private licence. |
"It has been a long-established mine. It's not a big mine and it would employ 10 to 20 people. It could be between 100 metres and 300 metres deep and it's always at an incline." | "It has been a long-established mine. It's not a big mine and it would employ 10 to 20 people. It could be between 100 metres and 300 metres deep and it's always at an incline." |
Friends and relatives are currently waiting for news in a nearby community centre. | Friends and relatives are currently waiting for news in a nearby community centre. |
BBC Wales reporter Nicola Smith said about 50 rescuers were involved, of whom 18 to 20 were firefighters trained for this type of incident. | BBC Wales reporter Nicola Smith said about 50 rescuers were involved, of whom 18 to 20 were firefighters trained for this type of incident. |
'Cordoned off' | 'Cordoned off' |
Rescuers include nine rope specialists and 12 urban search and rescue specialists. | Rescuers include nine rope specialists and 12 urban search and rescue specialists. |
Mr Cameron said: "Every support will be given to the emergency services to ensure they continue to do all they can. | |
"In due course we must ensure we fully understand and learn from the causes of this accident." | |
Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan commented: "I am receiving regular updates from the police services and I will be praying for the safe rescue of all involved." | Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan commented: "I am receiving regular updates from the police services and I will be praying for the safe rescue of all involved." |
Meanwhile, Neath assembly member Gwenda Thomas said the point of the contact for the area is Rhos Community Centre where those affected can talk to police and specialists. | Meanwhile, Neath assembly member Gwenda Thomas said the point of the contact for the area is Rhos Community Centre where those affected can talk to police and specialists. |
Although most mines in south Wales are now closed, there are pockets of small-scale collieries still in operation. | Although most mines in south Wales are now closed, there are pockets of small-scale collieries still in operation. |
Gleision Colliery, in operation since 1993, works coal under a very steep hillside above the banks of the river Tawe. | Gleision Colliery, in operation since 1993, works coal under a very steep hillside above the banks of the river Tawe. |
Are you in the area? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC, you can do so using the form below. | Are you in the area? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC, you can do so using the form below. |