1,400 rescuers race against time for 21 trapped miners at Xinjiang mine flooding

More than two days after the coal mine flooding accident in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, full rescue efforts are continuing for the 21 trapped miners.

A total of seven pumping machines were working for drainage, as the rise of the water level slowed down, China Central Television ( CCTV) reported.

The flooding took place around 6: 10 pm Saturday in Hutubi county, Changji Prefecture of Xinjiang, when the coal mine was undergoing technical transformation, resulting in underground power outage and communication interruption.

At the time of the accident, there were 29 people working in the shaft, eight of whom later ascended and are in good health.

As of Monday morning, the water leak did not stop. In the early hours of Monday morning, rescuers sent a large submersible pump with a pumping capacity of 725 cubic meters per hour down the shaft, which is expected to nearly double the pumping capacity of the rescue site.

A total of seven pumping machines were installed, while rescue workers closely monitored the air quality and water level changes in the well. Eight rescue teams with over 1,400 rescuers have joined the rescue.

In addition to the seven pumps that have been put in place, another two pumps will soon be installed, and there are more than 20 units of spare pumps, Bao Yongsheng, deputy governor of Changji Prefecture, said on Monday night. “Now the drainage capacity is seven times higher than it was initially as the rescue continues to accelerate.”

In response to the accident, the State Ministry of Emergency Management pointed out Monday that it should do its best to reduce casualties, while reporting to the State Council to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and seriously pursue responsibility.