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Families Lash Owners for Abandoning Trapped Miners

Little hope left for six men

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2007 11:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Angry relatives of six men missing for two weeks in a Utah mine collapse have accused owners and federal officials of quitting on the rescue effort and leaving the miners for dead. Officials conceded yesterday that the miners may never be found in the mountain, still quivering from seismic activity, AP reports.  

"They've given up and are just waiting for the six miners to expire," said a spokesman for the families as some 70 relatives of the men stood behind him. Readings from a fourth hole drilled into the mountain found inadequate oxygen and rescue workers have detected no signs of life from the buried miners.

 Health Administration, Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, in Huntington, Utah. The search for six miners missing deep underground was abruptly halted after a second cave-in killed three rescue workers and injured at least six others who were trying to tunnel through rubble to reach them.  (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Health Administration, Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, in Huntington, Utah. The search for six miners missing deep underground was abruptly halted after a second cave-in killed three rescue workers and injured...   (Associated Press)
The family members of six trapped coal miners inside the Crandall Canyon, are silhouetted as they walk back to a church after a news conference on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, in Huntington, Utah. Officials extinguished nearly all hope of finding any of the six miners alive on Sunday, nearly two...
The family members of six trapped coal miners inside the Crandall Canyon, are silhouetted as they walk back to a church after a news conference on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, in Huntington, Utah. Officials...   (Associated Press)
Sonny Olsen, spokesman for the family members of six trapped coal miners inside the Crandall Canyon, speaks as the family members stand behind him during a news conference on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, in Huntington, Utah. Relatives of the six miners trapped for nearly two weeks accused federal officials and...
Sonny Olsen, spokesman for the family members of six trapped coal miners inside the Crandall Canyon, speaks as the family members stand behind him during a news conference on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, in...   (Associated Press)
A sign to mine rescuers is displayed in downtown Huntington, Utah, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007.  Four holes drilled more than 1,500 feet into the mountainside have given officials limited access to the Crandall Canyon mine where six miners have been trapped nearly two weeks.    (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
A sign to mine rescuers is displayed in downtown Huntington, Utah, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007. Four holes drilled more than 1,500 feet into the mountainside have given officials limited access to the Crandall...   (Associated Press)
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