Rescuers have been racing against time to pump water out of a vast coal mine. |
Rescue teams have entered a flooded mine in northern China to help over 153 workers trapped there for almost a week.
The mine in Shanxi province flooded after miners broke through an old shaft filled with water. Thousands of rescuers have been working around the clock to pump the water out.
There have been no further signs of life since rescuers heard a tapping sound on Friday. Ambulances and medical officials are present at the scene to provide immediate treatment.
Officials say the mine had been overcrowded and managers had ignored reports of water leaking into the tunnels.
Lax safety standards have made China's mines the deadliest in the world.This has prompted Beijing to announce plans to clamp down on unsafe operations where most incidents occur.
The Chinese government has reportedly closed hundreds of small mines in a recent safety drive.
According to official figure, 3,215 and 2,631 lives were lost in China's mining incidents in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
The mine in Shanxi province flooded after miners broke through an old shaft filled with water. Thousands of rescuers have been working around the clock to pump the water out.
There have been no further signs of life since rescuers heard a tapping sound on Friday. Ambulances and medical officials are present at the scene to provide immediate treatment.
Officials say the mine had been overcrowded and managers had ignored reports of water leaking into the tunnels.
Lax safety standards have made China's mines the deadliest in the world.This has prompted Beijing to announce plans to clamp down on unsafe operations where most incidents occur.
The Chinese government has reportedly closed hundreds of small mines in a recent safety drive.
According to official figure, 3,215 and 2,631 lives were lost in China's mining incidents in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
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