If they become trapped, miners are trained to listen for the dynamite charges and then respond by banging on the ceiling of the mine with the hope that the sonar will pick up their vibrations. If the miners respond, it will be the first indicator that one or more of the miners survived the collapse.

Families await word

The families of the missing miners remain hopeful that they will be rescued. They have been sequestered, the locations where they are being held is a secret. Access to the families has been restricted by authorities.

The families are briefed frequently by mine officials and Murray himself. Both the mine and federal officials have refused to release the miners' names. Still, those close to the families say they are holding out hope.

"There's a lot of truth in that old saying, 'No news is good news,'" said Huntington Mayor Hilary Gordon. "I'm hopeful."

The mayor and others, along with the Red Cross, were working together to provide support for those waiting for news of their loved ones. Huntington City Council member Julie Jones' son, Elam, 23, is one of the men helping to dig out the miners.

"They're doing what they can from all sides, even digging with their hands at times," Jones said. Monday night Jones hugged her son, who told her, "'Mom, it's scary.'"

The families of the miners are being updated on the latest developments by mining officials and Murray himself. Some of the missing miners are believed to be Mexican nationals.

Mexican Consul Salvador Jimenez was in Huntington Canyon to lend his support wherever he could, hearing that three miners are reported to be Mexican citizens. After a briefing where media was gathered, he headed back to Huntington to meet with family members of trapped miners, hopeful he could bring good news.

"We want to verify information, every detail," Jimenez said, confident rescue crews were doing everything possible to save the miners. "We have more than confidence, we are hopeful."

Politicians arrive

The assistant secretary of labor is on the scene of the mine tragedy. Earlier Tuesday so was Utah Sen. Bob Bennett and Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. Bennett was at the entrance of the Crandall Canyon Mine this afternoon, where the Emery County Sheriff's Office has a command post set up.

"I simply want to make it clear to rescue workers and families that they have my deepest concerns and my full support," the Republican senator said. If any federal action is required, Bennett said he will help make sure it happens.

Huntsman said he believes rescuers will do what it takes to free the trapped man.

"Everything that can be done is being done," the governor said. "The rescue efforts are in the hands of professionals and they are working jointly and collaboratively with the officials here."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com; bwinslow@desnews.com