Miners' families blast officials, saying, 'We have not lost hope'

HUNTINGTON, Utah (CNN) -- Families of the trapped six miners accused those in charge of rescue effort of having "given up" on the missing men.

In a statement read by a spokesman, the families urged the Utah mine's owner and federal officials to drill a hole into the mine large enough to send down a rescue capsule.

"Precious time is being squandered here, and we do not have time to spare," the spokesman, Sonny Olsen. He was flanked by dozens of relatives Sunday.

The families expressed their sorrow for the three men who were killed in a rescue effort Thursday. But they said they still held out hope "that our loved ones are still alive and are waiting to be rescued."