756 minors at work in the Shandong mine when tragedy struck. Recent heavy rains led to swollen rivers which flooded the mine located beneath an old well. Little hope for missing men.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agenzie) – Chinese rescue teams are rushing to save 172 minors trapped in a coal mine flooded by recent heavy rains.  The state agency Xinhua, reported the news citing local officials.  According to sources, the workers have little hope of survival.  The mine is found in the city of Xintai, circa 450 km from Beijing. Hundreds of police and soldiers are at the site of the accident to aid rescue workers.

Local official Zhang Dekuan said that “There were 756 miners working under the ground when the accident occurred.”. Of these 584 succeeded in escaping.  The water invaded the mine – in eastern Shandong – yesterday afternoon.  Over 205 mm of rain has fallen on the area, causing disastrous flooding and breaking the banks of the river Wen. The water spread throughout the entire mine, situated beneath an old well.  About 2 thousand soldiers, police and minors are working to shore up the banks of the Wen.

Coal provides over 70% of China’s energy, but the coal mines are the most dangerous in the world.  According to official sources over 5 thousand people die each year in mining accidents; independent sources put the number at 20 thousand.  Mine owners are accused of often hiding accidents to avoid the closure of the mine.

 

• CHINA
• MINES