Rescue crews digging in that quarry in l'Epiphanie, northeast of Montreal, had to quit last night around 11 because heavy rain was destabilizing the ground. But the search will resume this morning.

Bruno Marier of the Repentigny Fire Department says workers used the break from the search to send in more heavy equipment, including a larger crane.

"The first crane that was installed yesterday has the capacity of 250 tonnes, the one we are bringing in today has more than twice that capacity."

They also built a large concrete platform to support it and keep it levelled on the ground. Marier says the crane is being set up in an area that is considered safe.

"The experts told us that the ground where we need to dig is very stable," says Marier. 

He adds strong winds expected today should not affect the search because the equipment is located down in the pit. 

There is still hope the two missing workers will be found alive.