After nine frantic days of trying rescue efforts on the six miners trapped in Utah, and the deaths of three of the rescuers last night due to a mountain bump, or cave-in, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration chief Richard Stickler called at least a temporary halt to the rescue operations.

I hate to say it, but reality says after what is now ten days with no fresh water or food the operation is probably more of a recovery effort now than a rescue effort.

HUNTINGTON, Utah — A rescue effort to find six missing Utah miners came to a halt Friday when officials suspended the underground search after a second cave-in killed three rescue workers.

A team of experts will review whether or not it is safe for rescue workers to return to underground rescue efforts, said Richard Stickler, spokesman for the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Utah Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. called the rescue workers who died Thursday night heroes, adding that worker safety must come first in the ongoing rescue operation.

“We want to make sure that the lives that were lost last night were not in vain,” Huntsman said at a press conference.

I pray for all the rescuers, the families of the miners trapped and the families of the dead rescuers who gave their lives trying to save the lives of others.