Chile officials prepare Plan B to rescue trapped miners

LONDON - Chilean officials are reportedly planning to approve a faster Plan B drilling to rescue 33 miner workers that could see the men freed within weeks as fears grew over risks of the current four month timetable.

The government rescue team had been getting ready to start digging new shaft to reach the men trapped 2,300 feet underground since the accident took place.

“The drilling machine is being installed,” “We expect to start working with it on Monday morning,” The Telegraph quoted Andre Sougarret, the engineer in charge of the operation, as saying.

Pressure for quicker action has included a demand from President Sebastian Pinera for the miners to be freed before September 18, the bicentennial anniversary of Chile’s independence from Spanish colonial rule.

While that goal has not been embraced, a proposal that would free the men in two months, half the orginal timeframe, has been drawn up. Health Minister Jaime Manalich said: “Plan B has already been designed.”

“We think it could be quicker than the other plan. In ideal conditions, this could take around two months,” he added. (ANI)