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Coal mine explosion in China: 48 bodies rescued |
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September 30, 2000
SHANGHAI, (AP) - Rescuers dug by hand Friday to reach more than 100 trapped miners as the number of confirmed deaths from a coal mine explosion in southern China rose to 48. At least 110 people were missing following the blast Wednesday at the Muchonggou coal mine near Shuicheng city in Guizhou province. "There are no tapping sounds or other signs of life," Liu Changsheng, an official with the provincial Mine Bureau, said by telephone. Rescue crews recovered 48 bodies so far but found no one alive Friday, according to another Mine Bureau official who refused to give his name. Rescuers worked through the night Thursday, digging mostly with hand tools for fear that heavy equipment or blasting would cause more cave-ins, Liu said. He said tons of rock blocked the passage, and ensuring adequate ventilation for the rescuers was difficult. Managers at the mine and other officials refused comment Friday. Officials had said 241 people were in the mine at the time of the blast, but the official Xinhua News Agency on Friday put that number at 244. Out of that number, 83 miners have been rescued, Liu said. He said they all were near the entrance, and most suffered burns. China has the world's deadliest coal mines. More than 2,730 miners died in the first six months of the year, according to government statistics. Many mines are poorly run and lack fire and ventilation equipment. Safety rules are poorly enforced. Guizhou, a poor province that is home to many minority groups, has seen repeated mining catastrophes. Shuicheng, 1,350 miles (2,150 kilometers) southwest of Shanghai, abuts one of the province's most inaccessible areas. Officials said Thursday the blast in the Muchonggou mine was blamed on gas but a full investigation would begin after rescue efforts end. Xinhua said late Thursday that medical personnel were being sent from around Guizhou province, and Gov. Qian Yunlu had arrived to oversee rescue efforts. |