MANKAYAN, Benguet May 10 – Two pocket miners were successfully rescued by their colleagues and responding police operatives and rescue volunteers after they were trapped inside a collapsed mine tunnel at sitio Dugong, Taneg, here, Tuesday.
Police authorities identified the rescued pocket miners as Wilson Sanwen Jr., 16, single; and Harvey Tauli, 19, single both from Lenga, Tadian, Mt. Province.
Initial police investigation showed the victims and their fellow pocket miners came out of their working area for a coffee break but the duo decided to go ahead of their companions in going inside the tunnel to continue their work.
However, when their companions went inside the tunnel, they were surprised to see the walkway blocked with debris that was believed to have collapsed prompting them to manually clear the tunnel while their companions sought for assistance from the police and rescuers.
After several hours, the two miners were rescued and were declared to be unharmed as a result of the said collapse of a portion of their working area.
By Dexter A. See