It is sad, but remember, the mine was 'illegal' - doubtless poverty drove those involved to flaut local mining regulations, which may or may not have offered much in the way of worker protection.

Send them a shovel other than that we don't need to pay for this. Peru is not helpless they have resources and equipment to save their own people. I hate to sound cold about this but how is this our problem.

Poverty is indeed the driving force!! How could you say doubtless? You been to Peru? Have you seen the shanty towns and shacks that the people live in along these mountain areas? More than likely they exploited an abandoned shaft that wasn't secured by a mining company. There are quite a few in this area. As far as the info provided, it doesn't say they have asked help from the USA. Rather, they asked help from Peruvian mining companies, of which may have left this shaft open.

How much does 9 cost? Is the cost worth it?

Wake up people! We're not talking about buying something at the grocery store! I think the article about Kim Kardashian's clothes had more words!

Getting tired of hearing Elvis songs..sure hope someone down there knows Johnny Cash songs.

It seems that miners in South America don't have the best of luck.

Good idea to help.

Let's give them the same amount of help that they gave our folks in West Virginia.

Perhaps we can help Peru to rescue the miners like we did the Chilean miners.

I work for the mining industry in America, & have worked in an underground coal mine before. If the Peruvian government adopted the stringent regulations of MSHA (the Mining Safety & Health Administration) this probably wouldn't have happened. In American underground mines you need a minimum of two means to escape.

There are some sick people and sick comments here, These people arent asking for money, they are asking for machinery and other equiptment to help save their people, Im sure these miners have families and all they were trying to do is support them, at least they arent like your lazy americans who live off of our taxes on welfare or disability, who's in better shape to work then the next guy,

It is incredible the infra human conditions of this people, are they really "illegal" miners? do not be surprised if they are really working for unscrupulous very rich corporations that now do not want to take responsibility for them now. I hope they can get rescued...

I think South America needs better regulations when it comes to mining. Obviously, this is like what, the 13th billion time this has happened down there?

Yes, the mine was illegal and I am sure that as it always is in Peru, money was paid under the table to some or many officials, this is how it is in Peru as I have seen as a resident in Peru. Corruption is at all levels and it is likely this was a leading cause to the illegal operations. As for the help they need, maybe they should contact Chile who they fight with over boarders and other issues, Chile rescued there miners and I am sure they could help Peru in this, the issue getting this done is simple, will Peru have the courage to ask Chile?? As for regulations, they exist, but corruption gets in the way and the miners are the ones who are punished for the little money they make, yes, if they are lucky they get around 240 dollars per month if they get paid, in Peru if the company is not formal, then it is informal as this company probably is and getting paid is an issue.

What are children doing underground in the first place? Doesn't Peru have child labor laws? There is no excuse for any child under the age of 18 to be able to work in tunnels. Fricking third world countries... I hope the kiddos are okay!

The operative word being "informal." Nonetheless, I do hope these guys get rescued.

The US gets dumped on repeatedly. Remember the Chilean Miners? Little to most people know it was American technology and know how that saved the. It was an American designed and built big bore drill and rescue capsule and operators that rescued them. They would still be down there if not for us Gringos. Did you see one American flag or interview with an American worker? No. I guess it was too much of an embarassment for the Chileans to acknowledge that the Gringos did the heavy lifting on that one. Its a pity that we reach out constantly to help and in return get bitten or a kick in the balls as a thank you, due to national pride and political correctness.

Look at Peru closely, the fire department is voluntary, they do not get paid, the police get paid so little, that corruption is an issue, look at any bank and see a police officer guarding the bank. Recently the minister of the interior wanted a pay increase, the problem was, that the last time he got money for a project and yes, the money came from outside Peru, the project is not easily found, so the congress fought until the late hours on Monday, part of the problem was the Minister wants a separate section of young people to volunteer and get paid little, this project was considered expensive. Perhaps the Volunteers should get vouchers for there service to attend a good University, private, where they can get a real education, not the public universities, So the miners have a challenge being rescued, all in Peru is about a book rather than a sentence or paragraph.

As for under age individuals, labor laws outside Lima are a joke, again, it is about corruption and the lack of concern for others. Peru spends millions of dollars to make the parks and there are thousands of parks beautiful, it seems the parks are more a priority that the young or education. Travel any day or night and see children on the streets selling candy and gum, children as young as 5-7 years of age, the police do nothing to stop this, many times the children are in intersections with a great deal of traffic. The issues in Peru run deep, Peru is a place of ME and I, the concept of WE, US or Teamwork is an alien concept, in Peru nothing is my fault, it is always the fault of the other person.

Yes, American technology helped Chile and the miners, the facts were that American companies where acknowledged, at least throughout South America, it was not that Chile was embarrassed to say this, it was more the concept of the South American mind-set and a case of pride, that according to Chile, they were the rescuers, an issue of national pride. But this is not the issue regarding Peru, the miners are trapped and some are underage, we can argue the issues, but in the end, the miners need the help of others as Peru has asked and again, maybe they need to contact Chile, the other issue is the location of the mind and the depth, the same type of rescue would not work in the Peruvian mining accident.

Laws in Peru are mostly for the wealthy. Police are paid little, the average income is 700 soles or 240 dollars a month, education at public schools is terrible, private schools are better but only for the people who have the money. Books are also an issue, this was on the news several weeks ago, books can only be bought at specific locations and from only 1 company, again, corruption. Jobs in Peru are mainly based on who you know, not on abilities or education and this is true in many cases. Most projects in Peru are based on money that comes from outside Peru, strange, the question is, why is it Peru will not spend there own assets? Peru as it can be said for Peruvians, claim to never have money, yet they always have money for what they need or want on a personal level. As said, the issues run deep in Peru, as has been said by many, the country has not seen a good President in 200 years.

When
disaster strikes it is a problemof all mankind. It is a responsibility of each
of us to reach out and help. We should never leave the aid to others. Most of
South America is in need of help, and this provides us with an opportunity to
reach out to help our brothers. The miners plight has been going on for several
days now, We must act immediately if we are going to reach them in time. For
the men trapped in that mine, it is a desperate situation, and one that we need
to respond to now. There is little time left for them. I hope that someone has
a softened heart and goes to their rescue.

After
reading some of the responses to the miners desperate situation, my heart is
saddened, how could we turn our back to those in need? Is this what Americans
have become, cold and heartless?

I may not be able to send funds to help or get my country to send help,but I do believe in the power of prayer. The more, the better.God bless all those who are struggling to help those buried,that they reach them in time, and open the resources so they flow making a successful rescue possible.That hearts will be touched, and anyone in a position to help, will be moved so to do what they can.