It’s like entering a grave, says rescuer

Into the abyss: A conveyor belt running through the entrance of one of the digging tunnels in Selantik coal mine. - Picture by Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department.

KUCHING: A rescuer who entered the Selantik coal mine has described it like “entering a grave” and that it reminded him of the tunnels built by the Viet Cong.

“As it got deeper, it got a lot narrower. When you enter, you could walk upright but just tens of metres in, the tunnel starts closing in. You have to crouch, then crawl,” said Kana Tawi, 27, who was among a five-member Hazardous Material (Hazmat) team sent in after Saturday’s blast.