Professional Rescuers To Try To Bring Up Bodies Of Miners Killed In Blast Saturday

Rescuer Alin Tipter said he cannot say how many rescuers would descend or when the intervention would start, adding “rescuers know when they enter the mine, but never know when they’re coming out”.

 

A powerful blast killed eight miners Saturday and a second blast claimed the lives of four others, who had entered the mine for rescue operations. Another 14 people were injured.

 

Eight of the injured were brought to Bucharest Sunday morning and are in serious condition. The other six are still committed to the local hospital in Petrosani.

 

Economy and finance minister Varujan Vosganian said Sunday at noon that the removal of victims’ bodies from the mine needs to take risks into account.

 

"Our option is to combine reasonable time and the lowest of risks, to avoid repeating the second tragedy that occurred Saturday,” Vosganian said.

 

He said the ministry would ensure all security conditions before allowing any further descents into the mine.

 

One of the prosecutors investigating the explosions told MEDIAFAX Sunday evening that it could take up to 45 days to remove the miners’ bodies from underground.