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Rescuers Start Hauling Up Trapped Miners

All 3,200 expected to come up safely after accident in South Africa

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 3, 2007 11:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – Rescuers have begun evacuating 3,200 gold miners trapped more than a mile underground in a South African gold mine. By early today, 450 had been pulled to safety, Reuters said. No injuries have been reported. Union leaders accused the mine owner of negligence and said the accident was caused in part by a breakneck work schedule that left little time for safety checks.

"I feel happy to be on the surface," said one of the first rescued miners. "It was hot and dusty and I am quite hungry now." The miners became trapped when a broken pipe cut power cables to a main lift. They were trapped 15 hours before the rescue began. "I'm confident all will come out," said a mine official.

Miners work underground at the Harmony Goldmine, near Carletonville, South Africa, in this Wednesday Oct. 27, 2004 file photo. Some 3,000 miners were trapped underground when a water pipe burst and probably... (Associated Press)

Miners work underground at the Harmony Goldmine, near Carletonville, South Africa, in this Wednesday Oct. 27, 2004 file photo. A burst water pipe probably caused a gold-mine shaft to collapse Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

This April 12, 2001 satellite image provided by GeoEye shows the Elandsrand Miine complex near Carletonville, South Africa. Some 3,000 gold miners were trapped a mile underground Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007... (Associated Press)

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Rescuers Start Hauling Up Trapped Miners

All 3,200 expected to come up safely after accident in South Africa

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Trapped Miner's Body Recovered

Larry Marek, 53, died after cave-in

Rescuers Work Through Night, But Miner Still Trapped

Digging machine could help speed up efforts

New Zealand Mourns 29 Lost Miners

But mine should reopen, civic leaders say

Miners Already Breaking 'Blood Pact'

Many willing to talk to media—for a price

Mine Still Too Dangerous for Rescue

4 miners remain trapped inside Upper Big Branch

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Rescuers Start Hauling Up Trapped Miners

All 3,200 expected to come up safely after accident in South Africa

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

South Africa • mine • miners • trapped miners

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Trapped Miner's Body Recovered

Larry Marek, 53, died after cave-in

Rescuers Work Through Night, But Miner Still Trapped

Digging machine could help speed up efforts

New Zealand Mourns 29 Lost Miners

But mine should reopen, civic leaders say

Miners Already Breaking 'Blood Pact'

Many willing to talk to media—for a price

Mine Still Too Dangerous for Rescue

4 miners remain trapped inside Upper Big Branch

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Newser By Users

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