We would be insensitive if I tell them there’s no sign of life. It’s a question only God can answer.

The situation is difficult but I can’t say if the whole mine is contaminated and there are no survivors.

They are so big that it shows the force of the blast was tremendous.

The situation is very serious. We have to begin realizing that there are no more survivors.

There is no sign of life of anyone. No shoe, no evidence of them there.

The conditions are becoming increasingly adverse. It is grave, and being realistic, we think the situation is difficult.

The working conditions are getting more difficult, they’re impeding progress.

These mines can’t operate unless they meet minimum standards.

The (tunnel) collapses we found are greater than expected and there are more of them.

There were some small, minor things that needed to be upgraded, and we complied with that.

If he was away getting something he needed or having a meal, he wouldn’t be under the rubble, but we still have to confirm that no one was there in order to move differently or...

We haven’t reached the place where the explosion occurred. First we have to do all that’s necessary to rescue our personnel. Then we can investigate what caused the explosion.

We implore you to understand this effort.

I’m not sure what caused this.

We can’t say if there are five, 10 or 50 or 65 who are alive. That’s a question, with total respect, that only God can answer.