No sound from Utah mine

A microphone lowered through a hole drilled into the cavity where six Utah miners are believed trapped has detected no sound, rescuers said today.

The drilling operation at the mine, 140 miles south of Salt Lake City, was intended to provide air, food, water and a means of communication to the six men.

Rescuers cautioned their work is not done and that air quality in the mine could sustain life.

A crude air sample found enough oxygen in the chamber to keep the men going if they survived the collapse. It also did not pick up methane or carbon dioxide, the gas exhaled when people breathe.