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It has been 9 days since two workers were isolated at the Bonghwa mine in Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Today (3rd), a hole was drilled to the space where the workers were supposed to be, and an acoustic signal was sent and the endoscope equipment was put in, but it was not confirmed whether they survived.



This is TBC reporter Lee Hyuk-dong.



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Rescue authorities drilled up to 170m of the estimated space for evacuation of isolated people from drilling holes No. 3 and No. 4.



Conversation was attempted to ensure survival, but only the sound of dripping water was heard and no response from the isolates.



This is the inside of the tunnel as seen by putting endoscope equipment into the No. 3 hole.



A search operation of more than 10 meters in the tunnel was carried out with an endoscope, but the isolated people were not found.



[Jang Yu-seong / Dongbu Mine Safety Office Safety Officer: I told you that Unit 3 (survival) has not been confirmed.

Unit 4 also had some acoustic presumed sounds, so endoscopy was performed 3 times.

(Confirmation result) It was judged to be a dripping sound as the water dripped.]



Rescue authorities are supplying Mieum and medicine kits to the evacuation area and 11 perforators to check whether they are alive or not.



We are also accelerating the removal of rocks to secure an access route to the space where the isolated people are expected to evacuate.



There is about 20m remaining between the evacuation space for isolated people and the entrance to the tunnel leading to the accident site.



[Deputy Director of Mining Company: If you pass after 20m, you will meet there (the tunnel going to the accident point), and (work) will start around this evening.

Since the tunnel is completely blocked, it is not possible to check inside it, so it is not a very good condition.]



If we break through this section, we plan to send in a rescue team to search for isolated people, but it seems that it will take more time because there are large rocks.



As the confirmation of the survival of the isolated people is delayed, the hearts of their families are burning.



(Video coverage: Kim Kyung-wook TBC)