Search and rescue efforts continue today after a roof fell in one of the intersections of Cargill's Avery Island salt mine.
Two employees still remain unaccounted for as of 8:00 am Tuesday morning.
Cargill's rescue operations team and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) are onsite responding.
Mine rescue teams are moving closer to the location of the collapse to secure the site underground and worked through the night.
The 16 other employees working that shift were evacuated with no injuries reported.
According to Cargill officials there is no indication the collapse is related to the inspection issues identified in the recent MSHA citations.
Cargill's latest statement:
Early Monday morning, the roof fell in one intersection of Cargill's Avery Island salt mine. We have two employees who remain unaccounted for at this time. Our rescue operations team and the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) are onsite responding to this emergency. The 16 other employees working that shift has been evacuated with no injuries reported. The facility has been shut down to allow a complete investigation of the incident and ensure the safe operations of our facility.
Throughout the day we have been relocating critical equipment to aid in the search and rescue efforts. Our mine rescue teams are advancing to the location of the collapse to secure the site underground and intend to work through the night. Our immediate focus is on the two missing miners and the safety of the rescue personnel.
While we are still investigating the cause of today's roof collapse, there is no indication it is related to the inspection issues identified in the recent MSHA citations.
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