Rescuers in battle to find miners
Source: Xinhua |
August 30, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RESCUERS were still struggling yesterday to reach 22 miners trapped underground for a week in a flooded mine in northeastern Heilongjiang Province.
Rescuers say they heard "knocking sounds" early this morning from inside the Hengtai Coal Mine in the city of Qitaihe.
They believe the sounds may have been a response from the trapped miners as rescuers have been knocking on the sides of a 280-meter shaft drilled on Sunday night in the hope of establishing communication.
Rescuers responded to the sounds by sending relief supplies down the shaft, including food, a lamp, a pen and some paper.
The rope tied to the package was shaken as it was lowered, leading rescuers to believe the miners had been found. However, when the package was pulled back up about an hour and a half later, they found it had not been opened.
Rescue teams are working to pump water out of the mine to make it easier to reach the miners.
The flood occurred last Tuesday, when 45 miners were working underground - 19 escaped.
On Saturday, four more were found, but one of them was confirmed dead early on Sunday. The other three were rescued.
Li Guiying, 43, wife of miner Han Guowu, showed her concern as she stood near the family waiting area.
She said: "My husband is the breadwinner. He earns 6,000 yuan (US$940) per month, which lets me stay at home and take care of our two children.
"What should I do if he dies?"
The mine is one of many operating illegally despite the government's efforts to shut down small, outdated mines. The provincial government ordered the mine to stop production in 2007. However, the owner restarted without permission on August 16, said local work safety bureau.
Rescuers say they heard "knocking sounds" early this morning from inside the Hengtai Coal Mine in the city of Qitaihe.
They believe the sounds may have been a response from the trapped miners as rescuers have been knocking on the sides of a 280-meter shaft drilled on Sunday night in the hope of establishing communication.
Rescuers responded to the sounds by sending relief supplies down the shaft, including food, a lamp, a pen and some paper.
The rope tied to the package was shaken as it was lowered, leading rescuers to believe the miners had been found. However, when the package was pulled back up about an hour and a half later, they found it had not been opened.
Rescue teams are working to pump water out of the mine to make it easier to reach the miners.
The flood occurred last Tuesday, when 45 miners were working underground - 19 escaped.
On Saturday, four more were found, but one of them was confirmed dead early on Sunday. The other three were rescued.
Li Guiying, 43, wife of miner Han Guowu, showed her concern as she stood near the family waiting area.
She said: "My husband is the breadwinner. He earns 6,000 yuan (US$940) per month, which lets me stay at home and take care of our two children.
"What should I do if he dies?"
The mine is one of many operating illegally despite the government's efforts to shut down small, outdated mines. The provincial government ordered the mine to stop production in 2007. However, the owner restarted without permission on August 16, said local work safety bureau.
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