Rescuers struggle to reach trapped Utah miners

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Rescuers were yesterday struggling to reach six miners trapped underground after a tunnel collapsed on a remote Utah mountainside, as officials predicted it may take three days to get to them.

Hundreds of rescue workers toiled through the night at the Genwal Mine in Crandall Canyon to reach the miners, who have not been heard from since the cave-in occurred at around 3:50 am Monday (0850 GMT) following an earthquake.

Robert Murray, a director of Utah American Energy which operates the mine, situated in a rugged mountain region 193 kilometers (120 miles) southeast of Salt Lake City, said it would take at least three days to reach the men.

Despite a massive rescue operation involving around 200 personnel and thousands of tons of heavy drilling machinery, progress through rock and rubble had been frustratingly slow, Murray told a news briefing.

"In spite of the exhaustive efforts ... I'm disappointed with our progress to reach these trapped miners. Progress has been slow, too slow," said Murray, his voice trembling with emotion.

The workers were believed to be located in a chamber around 458 meters (1,500 feet) underground, and were around 609 meters (2,000 feet) from their nearest rescuers, Murray said.