Hope fades after gas stalls rescue plans

Hope waned for the survival of 29 New Zealand coal miners who have been trapped for three days underground

Hope waned Monday for the survival of 29 New Zealand coal miners who have been trapped for three days underground,where the presence of explosive gases has prevented a rescue.

Family members expressed frustration with the pace of the response as officials acknowledged for the first time it may be too late to save the miners,who have not been heard from since a massive explosion ripped through the Pike River Mine on the countrys South Island on Friday.

A buildup of methane gas is the suspected cause of the explosion. And now the presence of that gas and others are delaying a rescue over fears they could still explode.

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Everybodys frustrated,everybodys upset, said Laurie Drew,whose 21-year-old son,Zen,is among the missing. I have my moments I can keep it together but deep down my hearts bleeding like everybody elses.

Authorities are working on drilling a 500-foot-long,six-inch-wide shaft into the mine tunnel. Officials will also feed a very high-resolution laser camera down the hole to give rescuers sight of conditions. Army specialists were at the mine site Monday fitting the robot with a camera and up to 1.5 miles of fiber optic cable. The battery-operated robot can only operate in fresh air. Checks were under way to make sure the robot would not cause a spark.

We remain optimistic, police superintendent Gary Knowles said. But we are planning for all outcomes,and as part of this process were planning for the possible loss of life. The police have said the miners,were aged 17 to 62.

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