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Rescuers drain water to reach 153 in mine
By Wang Xiang |
March 29, 2010, Monday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
RESCUERS started draining water from a flooded coal mine this morning in Shanxi Province where 153 workers were stranded underground, cut off from the outside world.
Investigation found that about 261 workers were building a mine shaft on Sunday when they accidentally drilled through a cavity filled with water, causing the flood.
This kind of water is usually acid and contains hydrogen sulfide, a kind of poisonous gas, said an expert quoted by China Central Television today.
The acid water posed great challenges for drainage because it can corrode pipes and makes it difficult to flush away. Pumps are sucking water from the mine at 500 cubic meters per hour, far lower than the expected 2,000 cubic meters.
Another problem is that the mine does not have enough draining equipment because it is still under construction, said Liu Dezheng, an official with the provincial safety authority. Pumps and other equipment are being transferred to Shanxi from nearby provinces, Liu said.
The water level has reached 579 meters in the mine and rescuers estimate that it could take up to three days to pump out all the water.
Around 1,600 rescuers were working on the site, CCTV said. Rescuers lifted 108 workers from the well and 84 stranded workers were working above the water level, giving them a better chance of survival.
"It was so terrible - the water was just several centimeters behind me when I ran out," one rescued worker said. "I only hope the others stranded 1,000 meters underground will be fine, but I dare not imagine the outcome."
According to Shanxi Daily, construction of the mine was five months ahead of schedule. It was due to start operation as early as this October and every worker on the mine was required to speed up before the tragedy took place.
Investigation found that about 261 workers were building a mine shaft on Sunday when they accidentally drilled through a cavity filled with water, causing the flood.
This kind of water is usually acid and contains hydrogen sulfide, a kind of poisonous gas, said an expert quoted by China Central Television today.
The acid water posed great challenges for drainage because it can corrode pipes and makes it difficult to flush away. Pumps are sucking water from the mine at 500 cubic meters per hour, far lower than the expected 2,000 cubic meters.
Another problem is that the mine does not have enough draining equipment because it is still under construction, said Liu Dezheng, an official with the provincial safety authority. Pumps and other equipment are being transferred to Shanxi from nearby provinces, Liu said.
The water level has reached 579 meters in the mine and rescuers estimate that it could take up to three days to pump out all the water.
Around 1,600 rescuers were working on the site, CCTV said. Rescuers lifted 108 workers from the well and 84 stranded workers were working above the water level, giving them a better chance of survival.
"It was so terrible - the water was just several centimeters behind me when I ran out," one rescued worker said. "I only hope the others stranded 1,000 meters underground will be fine, but I dare not imagine the outcome."
According to Shanxi Daily, construction of the mine was five months ahead of schedule. It was due to start operation as early as this October and every worker on the mine was required to speed up before the tragedy took place.
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