Sabinas, Coah., August 25. Relatives of the workers trapped in the El Pinabete mine confirmed that the national coordinator of Civil Protection, Laura Velázquez, informed them that rescue will be possible within six to 11 months and mentioned the possibility of compensation .
They said that Velázquez also mentioned to them that an additional pit will be built to enter the excavation and search for the miners who have been in the coal pit since August 3 .
The miners' families asked for support from the local community to protest this, as they believe they are trying to leave the workers at the bottom of the mine .
"The only option they're giving us is to dig some pits, which will take six to 11 months, and that's the only thing they can do. They told us this morning, and last night they didn't give us any information until now, and they told us lies about how we're going to plug the holes, to fill the holes, and that we already have the cement for this, and it's all lies," said María Elena Chávez, wife of miner Jaime Montelongo.
Relatives reported that the federal government has begun dismantling the camp where they are awaiting news of the rescue. The mobile hospital, ambulances, restrooms, and mess hall are gone, and they haven't ruled out the intention of completing the rescue .
"What we want is justice, and we're not going to leave them there. We're not going to leave them there just for their own good. If they couldn't do anything in three weeks, what will they give us in a year ? They're going to bring us back, back, and with pure lies, just like they did the first day," added Juani Tijerina, sister of miner Hugo Tijerina.
On Monday, the national coordinator reported during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's morning press conference that the new rescue plan, which involves building a trench for entry, would be presented between Wednesday and Thursday.
