Strange sounds offer hope for miners

RESCUERS searching for six coal miners who have been trapped for 10 days got two pieces of hopeful news yesterday — images of an intact chamber with potentially breathable air and the sound of mysterious vibrations in the mountain.

Officials are studying the results of air quality samples taken from a third borehole.

Video images from the same shaft showed an undamaged section complete with a ventilation curtain that divides intake air from exhaust air. Behind the curtain, in theory, the men might have found refuge and breathable air.