1.
LV & GV DRILLING RIGS IN RESCUE AREA
0.10

2.
GV TOP OF DRILLING RIG
0.13

3.
GV PAN RESCUE EQUIPMENT
0.20

4.
GV PAN FROM RESCUE WORKERS TO NEW DRILLING EQUIPMENT
0.29

5.
GV PAN FROM LARGE PIPES TO DRILLING EQUIPMENT ARRIVING
0.40

6.
GV NEW DRILLING EQUIPMENT
0.46

7.
LV ZOOM TO GV MORE EQUIPMENT ARRIVES
0.54

8.
REAR V..DITTO
0.58

9.
GV PAN BULLDOZER PASSES POLICEMEN
1.02

10.
LV BASE OF DRILLING RIG
1.08

11.
LV TRUCKS
1.14

12.
SV PAN DOWN FROM AMBULANCE TOR RESCUE WORKERS EATING
1.21

13.
SV POLICEMAN TALKING TO TWO WOMEN
1.26

14.
LV DRILLING RIGS
1.36



Initials RM/V/MGT/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AT CHAMPAGNOLE IN FRANCE, WORK ON THE DRILLING OF THE MAN RESCUE SHAFT DOWN TO NINE TRAPPED MINERS HAD LITERALLY GROUND TO A HALT. THE DRILL HAD RUN INTO STICKY CLAY AND WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY.

THE RESCUE WORK HAD BEEN INTERRUPTED FOR MORE THAN FIFTEEN HOURS AFTER THE DRILL BORING THE SHAFT RAN INTO STICKY CLAY, WHICH BLOCKED THE DUCTS OF COMPRESSED AIR USED TO CLEAN THE DRILL BLADES.

WHAT WAS NEEDED WAS HIGH-PRESSURE WATER EQUIPMENT TO KEEP THE DRILL CLEAN.

THE NINE MINERS ARE ENTOMBED TWO-HUNDRED-AND-SIXTY-NINE FEET DOWN IN THE LIMESTONE MINE.

IT'S NOT KNOW WHETHER ANOTHER FIVE MINERS WHO WERE TRAPPED IN ANOTHER PART OF THE MINE ARE STILL ALIVE.

WHEN THE DRILL DIGGING THE SHAFT DOWN TO THE MINE MINERS BECAME BOGGED MORE THAN FIFTEEN HOURS WERE LOST AS ANOTHER FORTY-FIVE TOWN OF EQUIPMENT WAS MOVED IN.

THIS WILL SPRAY HIGH-PRESSURE WATER ON THE DRILL TO KEEP IT CLEAN.

MEANWHILE, THE MUD IN THE SHAFT IS POSING ANOTHER PROBLEM. WORK WILL HAVE TO STOP ON THE SHAFT WHILE THE MUD IS SUCKED OUT BEFORE THE DRILL REACHES THE ROOF OF THE GALLERY ABOVE THE NINE MEN.

ENGINEERS SAID THE MUD POURING INTO THE GALLERY WOULD NOT NECESSARILY ENDANGER THE MEN, BUT IT MIGHT HAVE AN ADVERSE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT TO THEM IN THEIR WEAKENED STATE.

THE RESCUE WORK HAS NOW BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVEN DAYS.