RESCUERS have located 14 miners trapped underground in a flooded coal mine in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, local authorities said yesterday. The rescuers were clearing the shaft and drilling a deep hole to reach the trapped miners. They were also trying to pump and block water in a bid to prevent the rising of underground water levels and are sending more oxygen down the underground shaft. The accident occurred at 3:26 p.m. Saturday at the Shanmushu coal mine owned by Sichuan Coal Industry Group in Gongxian County when 347 miners were working underground. A total of 329 escaped and four were killed. Nearly 200 rescuers are racing against the clock to reach the trapped miners. (Xinhua) |