Coal Mine Flooding Accident Traps 17 in N. China City

Coal mine flooding accident traps 17 in N. China city

SHIJIAZHUANG, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) — Seventeen miners were confirmed trapped underground in a coal mine flooding accident that occurred on Thursday morning in Wu’an City, north China’s Hebei Province, local government sources said on Friday.

At around 10 o’clock on Thursday morning, Gaocun Coal Mine at Shangtuancheng Township of Wu’an City was flooded when 17 miners were working underground. The accident trapped all the 17, who might manage to escape to a higher ground in the laneway of the shaft. Rescuers said the workers still have chance to survive.

The coal mine is a legitimate one with its owner holding a certificate for mining, government sources said. The rescue work is still underway.