Post by Flash on May 7, 2006 3:22:42 GMT -5
Miners remain trapped
as tough rock hinders rescuers
It is looking like another anxious night for residents in the northern Tasmanian town of Beaconsfield, as they await news of the rescue effort to free the two miners trapped underground.
Rescuers have been confronted with rock up to five times harder than concrete as they try to break through to the two men.
The mood in Beaconsfield overnight was one of optimism.
Crowds had gathered in the local park across the road from the gold mine into the early hours of the morning in the hope that they would witness the emergence of miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell.
But the rescue efforts have been hindered by the tough rock.
Mine manager Matthew Gill says that expectations overnight had been high
"Certainly people are hopeful. The reality is this is a long and tricky process that we wamt to make sure we are doing safely," he said.
At the Uniting Church service In Beaconsfield this morning locals and people from nearby communities offered prayers for the safe return of the two men lighting candles of hope for their rescue.
Teams are detonating low grade explosives to try and free them two men.
When asked whether could free tonight, Matthew Gill said it was not likely but that tomorrow was a possibility.