S. China Coal Mine Flood Traps 102, Rescue Work Underway

S. China coal mine flood traps 102, rescue work underway

MEIZHOU, Guangdong, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) — Rescuers are searching for the 102 miners who were trapped in a coal mine flood in southern Guangdong province Sunday, according to local government.

The accident occurred at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in a private coal mine under the name of Daxing, which is located at the Wanghuai Town of Meizhou City.

The flood happened in the tunnel which is about 420 meters underground and rescuers were drawing water out of the mine with water pumps, said an official with the city government at the site, who declined to give his name.

Previous report said the number of the trapped was 103, but the official said it was a miscounting and investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

Local government has ordered the coal mines in the city to suspend operation for safety examination.

Li Yizhong, director of the National Bureau of Production Safety Supervision and Administration and Zhao Tiechui, director of the State Coal Mine Safety Supervision Administration are on their way to the coal mine to supervise the rescue work.