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Five things to know about Quecreek Mine rescue

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. — For more than three days in July 2002, nine miners were trapped underground in Somerset County’s Quecreek Mine before being rescued. Here are five things to know about the miracle at Quecreek:

  1. The miners became trapped 200 feet underground when the mine flooded on the night of July 24 after they broke through an uncharted mine shaft.
  2. Rescue efforts involved drilling a hole down to the area where the miners were trapped. At one point, a drill bit broke.
  3. Once crews broke through to where the miners were located, a phone was lowered down the shaft. Soon after, former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker declared "all nine are alive."
  4. On the morning of July 28, the miners were lifted one by one to the surface using a metal capsule.
  5. The miners were trapped for 77 hours.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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