Two more weeks to free Chinese miners

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion. The increasingly desperate attempt to save 21 workers has been further complicated by a massive blockage that has delayed drilling efforts, according to state media. "The obstacles are just too huge, which means we need a least another 15 days or even more to reach the miners," said Gong Haitao, deputy head of the local publicity department, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The debris standing in the way weighs about 70 tons, Gong said. The blast at the Hushan mine in Shandong province sealed 22 workers hundreds of meters underground on January 10. On Sunday, contact was made with 11 miners stuck at one location around 580 meters (1,900 feet) below the surface, and much-needed food and medical supplies were lowered down to them. One of the group of eleven was seriously injured in the initial explosion and has been confirmed dead after suffering head injuries and falling into a coma.