Both Avery Island salt miners who were unaccounted for after a roof collapse were confirmed dead by Wednesday morning.Â
They are identified as 27-year-old Lance Begnaud of Broussard and 41-year-old Rene Romero of New Iberia, according to the Iberia Parish Coroner s Office. The Coroner s Office said preliminary autopsy reports were not yet available.Â
The Avery Island underground salt mine roof collapsed Monday morning. The mine operator, Cargill Deicing Technology, found both victims on Tuesday after a search that lasted more than 24 hours. The other 16 employees working at the time escaped unharmed. Cargill employs about 175 people at Avery Island, according to federal data.