Mine flood survivor dies crawling to rescue
Source: Xinhua |
August 29, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ONE of four survivors of a coal mine flood in Heilong-jiang Province, in which 22 miners are still trapped, died as he crawled toward rescuers early yesterday, according to the rescue command center.
The four had waited in the dark for more than 100 hours while rescuers attempted to reach them.
Three of them reached the surface on Saturday, but Zhao Wenquan died as he tried to keep up with his colleagues crawling along a shaft toward rescuers.
The other three were taken to the People's Hospital in Qitaihe City where they are reported to be in a stable condition. Rescuers are continuing their efforts to reach 22 trapped miners. It is not known whether they are dead or alive.
One of the three rescued, Jing Renguang, 41, said: "I rushed toward a higher tunnel but was covered by water immediately. Fortunately, I found a piece of timber to cling to."
He said he never imagined such a disaster could happen so suddenly. He said that as they waited for rescue "we did not have anything to eat. We recalled the good times we had spent with our families to boost morale."
After waiting in the dark for almost 102 hours, Jing said they heard the sound of pumps and saw the water receding. "We crawled in the water until we approached the outlet and cried for help."
The flood started on Tuesday when 45 miners were working in a Hengtai Coal Mining pit in Boli County, Qitaihe City - 19 escaped but the others were trapped.
The provincial government ordered the mine to stop production in 2007, but the owner restarted production without permission two weeks ago, according to the local work safety bureau.
The four had waited in the dark for more than 100 hours while rescuers attempted to reach them.
Three of them reached the surface on Saturday, but Zhao Wenquan died as he tried to keep up with his colleagues crawling along a shaft toward rescuers.
The other three were taken to the People's Hospital in Qitaihe City where they are reported to be in a stable condition. Rescuers are continuing their efforts to reach 22 trapped miners. It is not known whether they are dead or alive.
One of the three rescued, Jing Renguang, 41, said: "I rushed toward a higher tunnel but was covered by water immediately. Fortunately, I found a piece of timber to cling to."
He said he never imagined such a disaster could happen so suddenly. He said that as they waited for rescue "we did not have anything to eat. We recalled the good times we had spent with our families to boost morale."
After waiting in the dark for almost 102 hours, Jing said they heard the sound of pumps and saw the water receding. "We crawled in the water until we approached the outlet and cried for help."
The flood started on Tuesday when 45 miners were working in a Hengtai Coal Mining pit in Boli County, Qitaihe City - 19 escaped but the others were trapped.
The provincial government ordered the mine to stop production in 2007, but the owner restarted production without permission two weeks ago, according to the local work safety bureau.
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