Nation: Ten dead in goldmine blast
▶ Two rescued miners suffer serious injuries
Ten miners trapped in a goldmine in Qixia, East China’s Shandong Province, have been confirmed dead, after 11 others were rescued on Sunday, an on- site rescuer told the Global Times. One trapped miner is still missing and search efforts for him are underway.
After bringing out 11 miners as of 3: 18 pm on Sunday, rescuers descended into the mine and saw the bodies of the other 10 miners. All showed no signs of life, chief on- site rescue expert Du Bingjian told the Global Times on Sunday.
All reporters, rescuers and officials observed a moment of silence for the 10 miners during a news conference on Monday.
Judging by the bodies, some of the miners may have starved to death, and some died from injuries sustained in the explosion, Du said.
One trapped miner is still missing and search efforts are underway.
Previously, clearance work encountered great difficulties, but on Sunday morning, a huge obstacle blocking the well suddenly fell to the bottom of the shaft, allowing rescue work to take a big step forward, after which the rescuers brought up 11 miners.
As the obstacles were cleared, rescuers were allowed to go down into the goldmine to the Sixth Central Section, where it was believed the other miners were located. The body of one miner was found in the Sixth Central Section.
According to earlier reports, the 11 miners were working at the Sixth Central Section when the explosion took place. They could may have tried to move up the shaft and get closer to the surface.
The explosion took place on January 10. A total of 22 miners were trapped underground, but the accident was only reported to the local authorities 30 hours later. Top rescue teams and equipment were quickly summoned to the city for all- out rescue efforts, which went on for 14 days.
On Sunday, the rescuers lifted 11 miners to the surface. Some of the miners were able to walk to ambulances with the help of the rescuers. One rescued miner held his hands together as a gesture of thanks to the rescuers, and one shouted, “Tell my family I’m still alive!”
The rescued miners were rushed to the Qixia City People’s Hospital. Each miner in the hospital has an individual team of doctors, nutritionists and security.
Chen Baojun, brother of rescued miner Chen Baoren, told the Global Times on Monday that the rescued miners have not yet met with their families. “We are relieved to know that they are safe now, and will wait patiently for further arrangements to be made.”
Five of the 11 rescued miners are in a stable condition and do not need medication. Four are in relatively good health, but are receiving medication due to pre- existing conditions. Two suffered serious – but not lifethreatening – injuries, officials said at Monday’s news conference.