Rescuers Start Hauling Up Trapped Miners

Rescuers have begun evacuating 3,200 gold miners trapped more than a mile underground in a South African gold mine. By early today, 450 had been pulled to safety, Reuters said. No injuries have been reported. Union leaders accused the mine owner of negligence and said the accident was caused in part by a breakneck work schedule that left little time for safety checks.

 "I feel happy to be on the surface," said one of the first rescued miners. "It was hot and dusty and I am quite hungry now." The miners became trapped when a broken pipe cut power cables to a main lift. They were trapped 15 hours before the rescue began. "I'm confident all will come out," said a mine official. (More South Africa stories.)