Coal Mine Flooding Traps 17 in N. China City, Leaving Chance for Survival

Coal mine flooding traps 17 in N. China city, leaving chance for survival

SHIJIAZHUANG, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) — Survival chance still exist for 17 miners who were trapped underground in a coal mine flooding accident Thursday in Wu’an City, north China’s Hebei Province, rescuers said on Friday.

At around 10 o’clock on Thursday morning, Gaocun Coal Mine at Shangtuancheng Township of Wu’an City was flooded, trapping 17 miners who were working underground.

Officials revealed the miners might be able to escape to higher ground in the laneway of the shaft.

An initial investigation shows that the 17 miners were in a position 40 meters higher than the flood water level in the laneway, so they still have chance to survive, said the technical staff engaging in rescue work at the site.

Currently, rescuers are pumping water out of the laneway and the water level is lowering significantly, rescuers said.

The coal mine is a legitimate one with government-issued certificate for mining, the city source said, adding the rescue work is still going on.