Why haven't the Utah miners been pronounced dead?

Question

Search is useless, except to recover the bodies. A human can not survive 3 weeks without water. But, why haven't officially labeled the miners dead?

Answer 1

legally cannot do without the body.
sorry to be so blunt.
there's wills, insurances. so it cannot be done even with little or no hope to find them.

Answer 2

In order for the owner of the mine to limit any lawsuits that are bound to come out of this, they have to keep trying to reach the miners to make it look good. I think most people at this point would give up hope, but as long as the families still demand a search be made... they have to keep trying or look bad in court when asked why they gave up.

Since they know those men were in the mine, I think someone (a judge perhaps...) can declare them deceased without waiting the normal 7 yr. period. This was also the case on 9/11 when they knew someone was a victim.

Answer 3

I believe legally, they have to find the bodies to make any declarations of death...but I agree...there are so many factors against them being alive, and they've drilled into almost all the places they could possibly be...there's no food...there's not enough oxygen...the water's probably bad...and the mountain's crumbling into itself.

I hate to be blunt, but they're dead. The families aren't willing to give up yet, though...and that's probably why there hasn't been a push to declare anybody dead. As long as they're searching (which only 48 hours ago they weren't willing to do, now they are), they're holding out the hope that they're alive...nobody's ready to declare defeat just yet.

Answer 4

Are you serious? I live in price,utah and know a few of the trapped miners and i know some of the rescue workers and they know the dangers of working in those conditions. To leave those who are trapped inside the mine would be horrible it would be like a firefighter leaving a family inside the house because the fire was burning them. If you really think those miners should be left inside the mine you should be the one to go tell the families of those miners. That is horrible to even think. I am certain the other rescue workers would still go and try to get them out of the mine reguardless of the danger just like a firefighter would rescue people from a burning building.

Answer 5

Because they're still Officially "looking for them". And with respect to those miners families; as LONG as they're still digging holes & looking for signs of "life"- no Official pronouncement of "Lost" will be made- until all HOPE is gone too. Sadly- I think they're gone- too. But when YOU'RE the one who has to tell THAT to the Families- you want to make SURE there's no chance that those Miners are alive. So right now- they're pretty much just looking for Bodies... :(

Answer 6

I am assuming by pronouncing them dead would officially end the search and rescue operation. This would anger the family members who still are hoping that they are still alive. And who knows, miracles do happen and they can possible still be alive.

Answer 7

because nobody really know for sure they are going to drill a 7th hole in a area that's the kitchen in the mine and the men have been trained to go to this area in case of a cave in i hope someone is alive but its not looking good . i believe it will be impossible to get them out if they do find them that mine is taking and not giving .

Answer 8

because they dont know for sure. I think someone has to be missing for a certain number of years before they can pronounce them dead. I do think its hopeless at this point though

Answer 9

Nobody's ready to go to court to ask for the declarations to be made. Each family has to do it.
.

Answer 10

they have to have the bodies. also they have sent down water and food so they could still be alive. i guess all we can do is hope for them to be alive : (