Hope Lost for Mexican Miners: Families Agree to End Rescue Efforts Grace Smith - Impakter
go to original September 1, 2022

Update: 10 Trapped Mexican Miners Presumed Dead as Officials Announce Recovery Mission (USA Today)

In a heart-breaking conclusion to the search for the 10 men trapped in “El Pinabete” mine in northern Coahuila, the families reportedly have agreed to sign an agreement on Saturday, September 3, to stop the rescue efforts.

“No tiene caso seguir aquí” — “There is no use in continuing this,” said Hermelina Montelongo, the sister of Jaime Montelongo who is amongst the miners now declared dead.

The efforts to retrieve the men have been continuous since August 3, when a tunnel wall collapsed and the mine shafts were flooded.

These attempts have included the use of an underwater drone and army divers, however both strategies proved unsuccessful due to the depths at which it is believed the miners are stranded— around 200ft — and the amount of debris that now obstructs the shafts.

Following the news that it would take between 6 and 11 months to drain enough water to reach the miners, the families have decided to sign to end the search.

Included in this agreement are plans to hold a period of mourning in honor of the men. It is also promised that a memorial will be built near the mine and that the families will receive compensation for their lost loved ones.

What this compensation equates to will be decided on a case-by-case basis in line with the Mexican “Ley Federal del Trabajo” (“Federal Labour Laws”).

This tragedy comes only 13 months after the last of its kind.

Read the rest at Impakter

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