According to CNN, 6 ambulances and 2 helicopters have arrived at the mine in Utah. Another 'bump' occured about 4 hours ago according to local authorities, paramedics are working on victims in the ambulances as they leave the mine....
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the miners and their families.
Stream of consciousness babble below:
Washington Post on Retreat Mining. It should be called JENGA mining.
Have we learned nothing in the past year after the Sago tragedy?
When will people begin to take mining safety seriously again?
Interesting report on NPR today about what may have happened vs. what the owner (A big GOP contributor) has said.
Arianna has been all over this story and appeared on Countdown the last night discussing the silence in the "traditional media" about the safety issues.
Update 1 ....11 rescue workers injured according to CNN, 10 miners according to AP.
Update 2 MSNBC says official number is 9, not 11. One miner is in very serious condition.
Update 3 More background from the Salt Lake Tribune.
Update 4 Background on Murray:
SLC Trib
Murray insisted there was no way the collapse was not caused by an earthquake - "It was a natural disaster and I'll prove it to you" - even though a federal geologist said Tuesday evening the collapse was absolutely not caused by an earthquake.
snip.....
But safety at some of his mines was suspect. Only a few months' data is available for the Crandall Canyon mine under his ownership, but at several other mines owned by Murray, the accident rate was well above the national average, in some years several times the rate for comparable mines.
And in 2003, KenAmerican Resources, a company owned by Murray, was convicted of violating mine safety laws at a Kentucky mine and the company was fined $306,000.
Murray backs his political beliefs with his pocketbook. He contributed more than $213,000 to Republican candidates over the last decade. Three political action committees tied to Murray's businesses have given $724,500 to Republican candidates and causes, including $4,000 to Rep. Chris Cannon.
Head of MSHA, Strickler, is a Bush recess appointment who was opposed by the AFL-CIO, UMWA, and most members of Congress (yes even Republicans opposed him).
Max Follmer has more at HuffPo: The man who will oversee the federal government's investigation into the disaster that has trapped six workers in a Utah coal mine for over a week was twice rejected for his current job by senators concerned about his own safety record when he managed mines in the private sector.
Update 5 One of the 9 miners has died. Our condolences to the family and friends of this brave miner. Nine miners have injuries. Don't know if everyone has been accounted for in rescue effort.
Update 6 All in the current rescue effort, have been accounted for - 7 miners and 2 MSHA (Mine Safety & Health Admin) employees. No word on the original 6 miners trapped since last week. A fourth hole is currently being drilled from outside (above) the mine in attempt to reach the others.
Update 7 Another brave miner has died trying to rescue the original 6. So sad.....
Update 8 Just as I was getting into bed last night I heard about the death of the 3rd miner. According to KO in last night's Countdown, mining deaths have not seen a rise since 1924 until......2001.