I can only say. . . I know the feeling. And it is. . . terrifying. Trapped under nearly a mile of rock, in the heat -- and dark. Nearly one thousand miners, awaiting word -- and rescue:
. . . .South African media say about 900 miners are trapped underground at a gold mine after a shaft elevator stopped working because of a power outage.
The African News Agency reports Thursday that the miners are believed to be safe while they await evacuation from the Beatrix mine in Free State province. . . .
With all the trivial political nonsense that goes on between the mayors of some of our cities, and their security details -- we should be mindful that so many endure so much, so terribly. . . worse.
UPDATED: 02.02.2018 @ 6 AM CST -- All the previously trapped miners are safely topside.
UPDATED @ 1:20 PM CST: With conflicting reports of the total number of miners trapped emerging, the mining company says over 330 have been brought to the surface safely, while the union says over 1,100 remain underground. They are being hoisted out, manually, one at a time, through the vertical main-shaft, apparently. Earlier, 64 were reported safely back at the surface. End, update.
I will be hanging on every word out of Jo'burg, this afternoon. . . . Now, let the better angels on this planet (and of our natures) lift these men and women from deep within the bowels of the earth, unharmed. . . .
It certainly makes the $12.19 handle on Riot. . . while grin inducing. . . look trivial, as well. In silence, then, for the rest of the day. [In the summer of 1976, I cut and built the vertical railroad ties that make up the sign for the mine. . . Seen in the masthead lower right. . . but by the next summer, I was underground full time — and, the sign held up well. . . .]
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