Video and 'noises' offer hope for trapped US miners

Rescuers searching for six trapped coal miners in Utah in the US got two pieces of hopeful news – images of an intact chamber with potentially breathable air and the sound of mysterious vibrations in the mountain.

Officials were studying the results of air quality samples taken from a third borehole, and were expected to release their findings today, 10 days after the cave-in.

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.

Preparations for a fourth hole in the mountain continued this morning, but there was no indication drilling had started.

Meanwhile, mine co-owner Bob Murray met with the miners’ relatives for about an hour before returning to the mine.

A midday news conference was planned.

The hole had been planned for more than a day, but its location was changed after the noise was detected Wednesday by devices monitoring vibrations in the mountain, raising some hope the men might be found alive.