Moose FM CKNR 94.1 - Elliot Lake

Hundreds of people gathered outside Elliot Lake City Hall and down Ontario Avenue this evening to protest the decision to go from a rescue mission to a recovery mission at Algo Centre Mall. The decision was made earlier this afternoon - the building was too unstable and unsafe to send rescue workers in. That meant that crews would be sent in to start demolishing the portion of the building affected by the roof collapse. Two known victims are still beneath the rubble, one is deceased, and the other was heard breathing using special equipment early this morning. The crowd was organizing to meet at 10:00pm to go in themselves and perform their own rescue mission in order to try and save the victim they believe could still be alive. When MPP Mike Mantha came out he calmed the crowd with news they are going back to the table to discuss what could be done at the scene to once again attempt a rescue. Premier Dalton McGuinty is now involved and has urged officials to continue the rescue mission. Mantha confirmed to the crowd that the building remains unsafe to enter but they are examining options to try to rescue the people trapped in the rubble; rather than walk away.

After the announcement the crowd errupted in cheers.