It will not be easy to retrieve it - Minister Sharipkhanov on bus with rescuers buried in collapsed gold mine
At the briefing held after the Cabinet's meeting, Minister of Emergencies Syrym Sharipkhanov answered journalists’ questions about the rescue operation ongoing at the Maikainzoloto gold mine in Pavlodar region, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The situation is not easy, since the bus fell through [the ground - editor], and there is an empty space under it. We suppose it will be uneasy to retrieve it. Nevertheless, we have attracted all divisions for geoscanning to identify the exact location of the bus and presence of empty spaces. We must be confident that the bus will not fall further. Heavy vehicles are working on site to ensure smooth descent to the bottom of the sinkhole to dispose soil and rock and reach the bus, Syrym Sharipkhanov said adding that the rescuers will have to cope with a 5-meter layer of soil and rock.
The minister emphasized the need to ensure safe work conditions for all those involved in rescue operation.
The work is ongoing, sometimes it stops for geoscanning. The most important thing is that we will not stop, we must retrieve the bus and the rescuer and the driver inside it. It is early to speak on specific timing, he said.
He underlined that it is an outstanding situation.
Currently we are studying the world's best practices in that respect. We need to use excavators and other vehicles to make way to the bus, he explained.
