Slim Chance for Missing Miner to Survive North China’s Coal Mine Blast

Slim chance for missing miner to survive north China’s coal mine blast

SHIJIAZHUANG, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) — Chance is slim for the missing miner to survive the north China’s coal mine blast after a four-day rescue effort failed due to the harsh weather, local authorities said Monday.

The coal mine blast occurred at 7:30 p.m on Nov. 30, killing five miners and left one missing at Xipo Coal Mine in Weixian County of Zhangjiakou City, north China’s Hebei Province.

Six miners were doing maintenance down the shaft when the blast happened, and rescuers rushed to the scene immediately after the accident, the provincial coal mine safety bureau said.

The coal mine, with an annual capacity of 60,000 tons, has not got a safety license for operation, the bureau added.

Investigations into the cause of the accident is still underway.