Good evening.
This is the final report, from To�o Aguirre, chairman of Espeleo Rescate
M�xico (ERM).
- Fofo
-------------------------------------
As you know by now, the decision was made to stop the recovery efforts
in the mine near San Joaqu�n, Quer�taro. This decision was based on the
evaluation performed at the site of the incident.
This is not the first time that such a decision is taken by ERM and it
will surely not be the last time either. Two previous examples are the
Resumidero Oztoquito recovery (Puebla, 2004) after nine days of work,
and in Jashib (Chiapas, 2004), where two kids were trapped inside a cave
and the maneuvers continued for ten days.
We are definitely aware of our technical limits. When the required
actions are outside of our area of expertise we request help. In
Oztoquito (Puebla, 2004) we requested the help from cave divers from the
USA, and in the mine "5 Se�ores" in Guanajuato we requested the help
from deep divers.
Since I consider it fair and necessary and for a better understanding of
why sometimes these decisions are made, I will take a few minutes to
explain the criteria and methodology used:
Analysis of risk vs. benefit:
The decision is taken after identifying the dangers and risks under
which the technicians (rescuers) will work, and evaluating the benefit
that can result from their actions. The analysis considers the general
evaluation of the situation, including the number of patients, their
injuries, possibility of the patient still being alive, etc., to
determine the urgency of the situation.
- A live patient sometimes needs to be taken out as quickly as possible
and this requires a fast response.
- A body recovery doesn't need a quick response.
In the particular case of the mine near San Joaqu�n, the analysis by the
work group determined the following:
Benefit:
1.- Recovery of the bodies and delivery to their families for burial.
The family of the deceased asked that the rescue group not put their
lives in danger for a recovery. They were glad that an effort was made
and they agreed on leaving the bodies inside the mine.
Risks:
1.- Potential severe rockfall. Initially that is what created this
situation, the two brothers were carried down the pit by rockfall. There
was still a big amount of rock close to the pit's edge and it was very
unstable.
2.- Presence of explosives and gunpowder in different places of the
mine. Some people (like the two deceased) continued extracting ore from
the mine with the purpose of selling it, and they used explosives for
that. Inside the mine some dynamite sticks, detonators and gunpowder
sacks were noted. It was unknown if there were more, and if so, their
location and conditions. Also, this extraction after the mine was
abandoned would have weakened the structure of the mine.
3.- The high probability of the bodies being under a thick layer of
rock, and being very damaged by the rockfall, would have made the
recovery very difficult. The initial rockfall happened after part of the
shoring broke, and it is estimated that it involved about 7 cubic meters
(250 cubic feet) of rock, and it is unknown how much more rockfall was
created in lower levels of the pit. Also, the initial recovery efforts
had created more rockfall.
Results of the analysis:
The risk was deemed to be too high for the benefit that could have been
obtained. In light of this, the maneuvers were stopped, even though it
could have been argued that the recovery was possible.
As in most rescues, on top of the technical risks and demands of the
work there was another layer of social and political demands that
directly influenced the effort.
The safety of the ERM rescuers is paramount, so in light of the
previously outlined items, we consider that it was the best decision.
---------------------------------------
Fofo wrote, on 22/1/10 10:40:
Good morning.
This will probably be the last report on this event.
There was a possibility, from the reports heard, that the last pit was a
natural one that the mine had intersected, but there was constant
rockfall from the upper levels.
It was decided to leave the bodies in place, because the risk for the
rescuers was too high.
- Fofo
Fofo wrote, on 20/1/10 23:59:
Good morning.
Here is the latest update from the ongoing rescue in Quer�taro,
M�xico, directly from To�o Aguirre, head of the Mexican Cave Rescue,
Espeleo Rescate M�xico (ERM):
Protecci�n Civil from Queretaro was in charge of the rescue, but they
stopped the recovery. What they said is that they descended 280 meters
(900 ft) and they didn't reach the bottom so they decided to ascend.
That is the version that was transmitted through the Queretaro Red
Cross, and apparently that was their only problem (there were comments
about them having had 'problems,' in plural).
Proteccion Civil Queretaro has officially requested ERM to take over
the operation. The three members of ERM on the spot have not reported
back, they got involved in the effort right away and haven't been able
to send a report.
At 9 am on Thursday a total of 10 members of ERM will leave (5 from
San Luis Potosi, 3 from Morelia, 2 from Mexico City), and they'll be
supported by the Cave Rescue section of the Queretaro Red Cross. They
will evaluate the scene and carefully determine a plan and their
needs. Mine rescues have specific risks that are different from caves.
To�o Aguirre will have equipment for gas detection and measurement,
for ventilation, etc.
The State of Queretaro offered to support the operation in any way
that is needed.
- Fofo
> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:09:44 -0800
> From: [email protected]
> CC: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Cave rescue in Mexico
>
> Hi, Bill.
>
> It's the Calabacillas mine, about 10 km of dirt roads from San
Joaquin,
> Queretaro. It's a mercury mine that has been abandoned for 40 years.
>
> Apparently four persons were checking it out looking for ore, and a
> collapse carried two of them. The passage is being described as a
> steeply descending with a pit at the end. As of this morning's report,
> the bodies had not been reached yet, there were preparations for
> dropping the pit or reaching from another passage the area where the
> bodies are presumed to be.
>
> There have been no further reports from the area. I would hate to have
> to work on a rescue in an old, abandoned mine. I hope that everything
> goes well and my thoughts are with the rescuers (Protecci�n Civil and
> Espeleo Rescate M�xico) and the families of the deceased.
>
> - Fofo
>
> [email protected] wrote, on 20/1/10 17:04:
> > Has anyone heard anything about this?
> >
> > To: [email protected]
> > From: [email protected]
> > Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:35:28 -0800
> > Subject: [NSSwest] Ongoing rescue in Mexico
> >
> > Good morning.
> >
> > This morning the Mexican Cave Rescue group received a call for
help in
> > Queretaro, in central Mexico. There is not much information, but 2
or 3
> > people could be trapped. Right now a small team is en route to get
more
> > information and evaluate the needs.
> >
> > - Fofo
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