This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-china-15587461
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
China mine disaster: Dozens trapped by 'rock burst' | China mine disaster: Dozens trapped by 'rock burst' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Dozens of miners have been trapped in a coal mine in China after a "rock burst", officials say. | Dozens of miners have been trapped in a coal mine in China after a "rock burst", officials say. |
Four miners were killed and 50 more are missing after the accident, which happened late on Thursday in the city of Sanmenxia in Henan province. | Four miners were killed and 50 more are missing after the accident, which happened late on Thursday in the city of Sanmenxia in Henan province. |
State media reported that the rock burst - an explosion caused by the sudden release of built-up pressure - happened shortly after an earthquake. | State media reported that the rock burst - an explosion caused by the sudden release of built-up pressure - happened shortly after an earthquake. |
Hundreds of Chinese miners die every year in pit accidents. | Hundreds of Chinese miners die every year in pit accidents. |
The industry is one of the most dangerous in the world, and is notorious for its lax safety standards. | The industry is one of the most dangerous in the world, and is notorious for its lax safety standards. |
Earlier this week a gas explosion at a mine in neighbouring Hunan province killed 29 people. | Earlier this week a gas explosion at a mine in neighbouring Hunan province killed 29 people. |
But officials insist the country's record is improving, and say they have taken action by closing many illegal mines. | But officials insist the country's record is improving, and say they have taken action by closing many illegal mines. |
'Location confirmed' | |
State TV showed images of seven miners being carried out of the pit alive by rescue teams carrying oxygen tanks. | |
Officials from the state-run Yima Coal Group, which runs the Sanmenxia mine, said an "intense search" was going on for the missing miners. | |
"The location of the other miners has been confirmed and we are stepping up our rescue efforts," a company spokesman told the AFP news agency. | |
Local safety officials said 75 miners had been working in the pit at the time of the explosion. | Local safety officials said 75 miners had been working in the pit at the time of the explosion. |
Some 14 managed to escape, seven were rescued and four have been confirmed killed, leaving 50 others trapped. | |
A small quake hit the area shortly before the rock burst. | |
Government safety chief Luo Lin told state-run CCTV that the tremor had helped to cause the rock burst. | |
Are you in Sanmenxia? Send us your comments and stories using the form below. | Are you in Sanmenxia? Send us your comments and stories using the form below. |