A race against the clock in the depths
The scene is straight out of a movie, but the danger is absolutely real. More than 300 brigade members are immersed in a titanic operation: rescuing four colleagues trapped at great depths in the Santa Fe mine, in Chelé, Sinaloa. The operation does not stop for a second.
The plan: move forward and stabilize
The goal is clear, but the path is tortuous. The National Civil Protection Coordination explained that the goal is to advance 1.5 kilometers through ramps to reach the deepest area, where the workers, originally from Durango, Hidalgo and Jalisco, are believed to be.
For this, they are not alone. Specialists from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and rescuers from the Frisco Group from Chihuahua have joined. Its mission: define technical strategies to speed up localization. And more reinforcement is expected.
Safety comes first. To protect rescue personnel, the structure is being stabilized with special mixtures of cement and resins. Pumping and ventilation systems work non-stop to lower water levels inside.
“The main objective is to advance approximately 1.5 kilometers… and secure strategic galleries to reach the deepest area,” detailed the authorities.
But the earth does not cooperate. A silent and sticky enemy has entered the scene: thick mud. This has dramatically complicated the progress of the brigade members and has cut off all communication with those trapped.
In front of this mud wall, plan B is already underway: a vertical drilling that allows establishing that first vital contact. Meanwhile, maneuvers to open passage in the main tunnels continue.
The conditions of the terrain have forced us to redouble our efforts. Each movement is calculated to the millimeter to ensure the integrity of both the rescuers and the four men waiting in the darkness. The authorities monitor every minute, adjusting the strategy in this race where the only thing that matters is getting them out alive.
