Rescuers are continuing their search for the six missing Utah miners despite statements from officials last week on ending the effort after completion of the sixth borehole.
“We haven’t given up hope,” said Bob Murray, co-owner of the mine, according to CNN.Drilling of a seventh borehole began into Crandall Canyon mine Sunday and a robotic camera was also lowered into one of the already dug holes, according to The Associated Press.
"It's a long shot, and I repeat, it's a long shot. But we owe it to the families to do everything we can to locate their loved ones," said Jack Kuzar, a district manager for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, according to AP.
Officials and experts acknowledged there is little hope in finding the miners citing previous results showing no life and new obstacles faced by the robot.
Robin Murphy, a mechanical engineer and director of the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue at the University of South Florida, said there is less than a 50 percent chance of discovering any “additional information” because of the treacherous conditions inside the mine.
“Frankly, it’s a long shot,” Murphy told reporters Sunday, according to CNN. “It’s certainly a chance we’re all willing to take.”
A similar camera robot was used to search in the rubbles of the World Trade Center in New York City after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The eight inch in diameter robot is expected to give rescuers above ground a clearer view of inside the mine. Its 200-watt light will help it take images in the dark cave and it can travel up to 1,000 feet, officials said.
However, simply getting the robot 2,000 feet down the mine poses an obstacle in itself.
