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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. Prime Minister David Cameron said his thoughts were with the men and their families "at this very difficult time".
Prime Minister David Cameron said his thoughts were with the men and their family and friends "at this very difficult time". Two other miners escaped and a third is at Morriston Hospital in a critical condition.
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'
BBC Wales News website reporter Daniel Davies, who is at the scene, said families at the Rhos Community Centre meeting point, where those affected can talk to police and specialists, appeared to be preparing for a long night.
"At about a 19:45, Red Cross delivered bedding to the community centre where the relatives are, such as pillows and blankets," he said.
He said assembly member Bethan Jenkins had told him that local people had been bringing food and drink for families and trying to comfort them.
Ali Thomas, leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said the miners are "great guys" and he had spoken to some of their families.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," 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, who described the situation as "very grim," 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, one of whom is in his early 60s according to a source at the scene, 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. Wayne Thomas, from the National Union of Mineworkers in south Wales, said the best equipment and the best expertise was combining to help the men.
"These men have worked in the mining industry for most of their lives and they will have experienced the challenges of mining and the difficulty that brings. And they will know people are coming towards them. It's only a matter of time," he said.
There have been reports the source of the water may have come from an underground reservoir, though Andrew Watson, who runs the Mines Rescue Service and is co-ordinating the rescue, said the source was not yet known.
"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."
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.
Retired mine director Keith Jones, 69, from nearby Alltwen, who used to own a mine on the same side of the mountain as Gleision Colliery, said conditions would be "stone cold freezing".
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.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.""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.
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.