Beijing, July 3 (IANS) The rescue work continued Sunday at a coalmine in southern China where 19 workers are trapped, Xinhua reported.
Three workers were killed Saturday when the mine in Heshan in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region caved-in following incessant rain. Nineteen workers were trapped.
Rescuers have dug 300 meters into the main shaft of the mine by Sunday morning. High levels of gas in the shaft hindered the rescue effort.
The miners are trapped 390 meters underground, said Zheng Zhao’an, head of the emergency headquarters in Heshan.
He added that a second rescue channel is being dug in an adjacent shaft so it can provide an alternate route.
The accident occurred around midday Saturday. Officials said it was caused by continuous downpour.
There were 71 miners in the pit when the accident occurred. Forty-nine managed to escape.
