Mexico City, Mexico, Feb 20, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Bishop Alfonso Garza Treviño of Piedras Negras said this week numerous priests from the region have gone to the Pasta de Conchos mine near the town of San Juan de Sabinas, 85 miles southwest of Eagle Pass, Texas, to provide spiritual support and hope for the families of 65 workers who have been trapped inside since early Sunday morning.
An explosion at the mine early Sunday left the men trapped 600 feet underground and officials have been unsure whether emergency ventilation systems have been able to provide them enough oxygen to survive.
78 workers were originally trapped but 13 were rescued and treated for injuries.