Beijing: At least one worker was killed on Saturday and 17 others were trapped with nearly 700 rescuers struggling to reach the miners, a day after gypsum mine collapsed in China's eastern Shandong Province.
A total of 29 people were working underground when the mine collapsed yesterday in Pingyi County, Shandong Province. Four persons managed to escape while six others were rescued on Friday. One more miner, whose leg was trapped by a boulder, was rescued early this morning.
One of the rescued is in intensive care in a stable condition. No one else sustained serious injuries. Nearly 700 rescuers are trying to reach the trapped miners in two locations by using existing shafts that were damaged by the collapse. Rescuers are also using heavy machinery to gain access to one of the locations.
However, continuous deformation of the tunnel and falling rocks are hindering rescue efforts, experts of the rescue team said, adding that the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
According to China Earthquake Networks Centre, the collapse was caused by an earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter scale in Pingyi County.
The shock affected local rail services as 10 freight trains were halted and eight passenger trains delayed. The services were later restored, the Jinan Railway Bureau said.
