Freeport Deploys Experts to Rescue Trapped Workers

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - PT Freeport is deploying 60 experienced rescue experts in its efforts to save 23 workers now still being trapped under the rubble following the collapse of a mining tunnel. Daisy Primayanti, the company's corporate communications vice president, said in a press statement to ANTARA here on Friday the team of rescuers had been able to open two access ways to the location of the incident. "The team is now working carefully with regard to evacuating the 23 workers who are still being trapped in the rubble," she said. Daisy said there was no newer information about the conditions of the workers than what we had informed yesterday. "A total of 38 workers are believed to have been buried under the rubble (after a training mining tunnel collapsed) on May 15," she said. Daisy said until now 10 had been saved while five others had been found dead and 23 others were still unaccounted for. "The team of rescuers initially thought 39 had been trapped but later it was found that one of them had been able to run for safety unhurt," she said. (*)