Summary

Chapter 4 is titled “August 5 - 8: 'Murderers.'” The first subsection is titled AUGUST 6 ABOVE GATHERING. The first rescue crew reported that the mine shaft was blocked. Families, friends, and other miners rushed to the site. Regional governor Ximena Matas arrived. The main access, a “corkscrew” road, was blocked by tons of rocks. No one knew what caused the cave-in. Officials knew there was a shelter stocked with basic supplies. “If the men were alive, and if they managed to reach that space, they would be able to survive … for perhaps a few days” (21). The next subsection is titled AUGUST 7 ABOVE FAILURE. More than 130 people arrived to help. More cave-ins hampered progress. Laurence Golborne, identified as “the nation's top minister of mining,” took charge. Mines were supposed to have at least two entrances. The rule was only enforced for the big mines. San Jose...