Trapped Chilean Miners

[wuapinmon]

In case you haven't been following the story, 33 miners were found alive, still trapped, over 2,000 feet below the surface in a mine in Chile:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11075756

The men have survived for 19 days underground.



What gets me is this: can you imagine the horror of being in a 150 sq ft room with 33 other men, at a constant temperature of 88-90F, with no bathroom, pitch dark, and knowing that it would be 3-4 months until you were rescued?

[Green Monstah]

In case you haven't been following the story, 33 miners were found alive, still trapped, over 2,000 feet below the surface in a mine in Chile:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11075756

The men have survived for 19 days underground.



What gets me is this: can you imagine the horror of being in a 150 sq ft room with 33 other men, at a constant temperature of 88-90F, with no bathroom, pitch dark, and knowing that it would be 3-4 months until you were rescued?

Pure Hell, but it beats the alternative, I suppose.

[cowboy]

My favorite quote from the New York Times Twitter feed: "Trapped Miners say They're Still Alive"

What the hell did we expect them to say? It reminded me of the Holy Grail - "I'm not dead yet!"

[Moliere]

What gets me is this: can you imagine the horror of being in a 150 sq ft room with 33 other men, at a constant temperature of 88-90F, with no bathroom, pitch dark, and knowing that it would be 3-4 months until you were rescued?

The mental toll that this would take on a person is incredible. I can only imagine their minds are all wondering if the mine shaft they are in will hold up when they start drilling a 26 inch hold to be used to pull them out. Crazy! Add on top of that the drilling will most likely shake loose rocks and other debris as well as bring a bunch of drilling debris with it when it finally breaks through to the emergency shaft.

Today is definitely a good day to be a CPA and not a miner!

[Jarid in Cedar]

As someone who grew up in coal country, and who's father has spent years underground, this story makes me sick inside on too many levels to describe.

[SeattleUte]

Pure Hell, but it beats the alternative, I suppose.

Spirit world nirvana?

[filsdepac]

In case you haven't been following the story, 33 miners were found alive, still trapped, over 2,000 feet below the surface in a mine in Chile:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11075756

The men have survived for 19 days underground.



What gets me is this: can you imagine the horror of being in a 150 sq ft room with 33 other men, at a constant temperature of 88-90F, with no bathroom, pitch dark, and knowing that it would be 3-4 months until you were rescued?

Wow, I didn't realize it was only 150 sq feet. So basically 12 feet by 12 feet? for 33 guys? I don't see how they're all gonna survive 3-4 months. I really hope they do and can figure out a faster way, but wow.

[FN Phat]

Thank you for posting this. I've been keeping an eye on the story. Simply amazing.

[wuapinmon]

Wow, I didn't realize it was only 150 sq feet. So basically 12 feet by 12 feet? for 33 guys? I don't see how they're all gonna survive 3-4 months. I really hope they do and can figure out a faster way, but wow.

Well, this CNN article says it's, 530 sq feet. I read something this morning that said 50 sq meters. That relieves me a little. At least they're not on top of each other.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/08/24/chile.mine.challenges/#fbid=D4H5Q8A9wob&wom=false

[filsdepac]

Well, this CNN article says it's, 530 sq feet. I read something this morning that said 50 sq meters. That relieves me a little. At least they're not on top of each other.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am...9wob&wom=false

Yeah, that's a little better, but still incredible. Hopefully they can get some reading material/entertainment down there to keep them sane. My apartment is about 900 sq feet and having 15 people in there gets a little hectic. I wish there were something I could do to help these poor guys.

[Green Monstah]

Spirit world nirvana?

I see where you're going SU...(can we let Norberg go??) No, I was thinking more along the lines of having 2,000 feet of loose rock stacked on top of you while you slowly suffocate over a 20 hour period.

[creekster]

I see where you're going SU...(can we let Norberg go??)

Oh sure, you can try toi ignore it, but it will still keep you out of a BCS conference. Just ask SU.

[Green Monstah]

Oh sure, you can try toi ignore it, but it will still keep you out of a BCS conference. Just ask SU.

If it gives any of you solace, you caused me to reflect on my opinions of the Norberg incident. My opinions may be strong, but they're not ironclad.

[Moliere]

Yeah, that's a little better, but still incredible. Hopefully they can get some reading material/entertainment down there to keep them sane. My apartment is about 900 sq feet and having 15 people in there gets a little hectic. I wish there were something I could do to help these poor guys.

I heard this morning that they were passing notes through the drilled hole to families and friends adn that they are trying to get radios to the men so they can talk with their families. That would definitely help with the mental state.

I would think they would also be drilling another small hole in addition to the rescue hole so they could circulate air (not sure if this is actually happening).

I have personally been in a coal mine around Price, UT. In fact I was in a mine that was operated by the same company that operated the mine that collapsed a couple years ago. I'm not generally claustrophobic and being in the mine wasn't that scary but I can imagine just how frightening it would be if there was a cave in.

[wuapinmon]

I heard this morning that they were passing notes through the drilled hole to families and friends adn that they are trying to get radios to the men so they can talk with their families. That would definitely help with the mental state.

I would think they would also be drilling another small hole in addition to the rescue hole so they could circulate air (not sure if this is actually happening).

I have personally been in a coal mine around Price, UT. In fact I was in a mine that was operated by the same company that operated the mine that collapsed a couple years ago. I'm not generally claustrophobic and being in the mine wasn't that scary but I can imagine just how frightening it would be if there was a cave in.

Apparently they have ventilation and a tank of water.