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Initials JT/V/RM/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ANOTHER NIGHT OF WAITING FOR THE ELEVEN WEST GERMAN MINERS. THEIR CHANCES OF ESCAPING ALIVE FROM THEIR REFUGE 200 FEET (62 METRES) UNDERGROUND IN THE LENGEDE IRON-ORE MINE ARE TONIGHT (TUESDAY) STILL PUT AT LESS THAN EVEN.

FILM SHOWS THE RESCUE OPERATION IN PROGRESS TODAY. OVERNIGHT EARTH SUBSIDENCE WARPED THE RESCUE SHAFT WHICH HAD BEEN SUNK ABOUT 136 FEET (42 METRES). WHEN RESCUERS TRIED TO LOWER STEEL TUBES TO BE USED AS A LINING, THEY MET SEVERAL OBSTACLES WHICH HAD TO BE DRILLED AND PUNCHED CLEAR.

LATER, THE SHAFT WAS SUCCESSFULLY LINED AND CEMENTED, BUT THE CONCRETE WILL NOT BE DRY BEFORE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. DRILLING OF THE LAST 65 FEET (20 METRES) TO THE UNDERGROUND CAVITY, WHERE THE 11 HAVE BEEN ENTOMBED FOR 12 DAYS, WILL NEED AT LEAST ANOTHER 20 HOURS.

THE SHAFT WILL NOT BE DRILLED TO THE CAVITY ITSELF, BUT NEARBY TO SAVE EARTH FALLING IN. THE MINERS WILL THEN HAVE TO HACK THEIR WAY THROUGH TO THE SHAFT.

DR HEINRICH KELLNER, THE LOCAL RED CROSS CHIEF, SAID THE MEN SEEMED TO BE IN "EXCELLENT" CONDITION, AND HE THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO DURROW TO THE RESCUE SHAFT. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD THAT RESCUE IS UNLIKELY BEFORE LATE TOMORROW.