Rescuers move in to save 13 trapped US coal miners

WEST VIRGINIA, Tuesday (AFP) A rescue operation for 13 coal miners trapped underground in the US state of West Virginia grew in size late Monday after more expert teams arrived to the scene of the dramatic accident caused by an explosion, officials said.

Three teams of specially-trained workers entered the Sago Mine after its shaft was ventilated for several hours to remove dangerous gases.

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin said global positioning equipment had been used to calculate the presumed location of the trapped men, and engineers have started drilling holes to get fresh air and communications equipment the the miners. While expert forecasts varied, Manchin expressed optimism, saying modern rescue equipment had made it possible to achieve tasks that had been out of miners' reach in the past.

"I believe in miracles. I'm very hopeful and I'm confident that we'll have a positive outcome," the governor told Fox News television. "And we'll know something soon."