Six bodies recovered in Xinjiang coal mine collapse, four still missing

Rescuers recovered the bodies of two more miners early Monday, bringing the death toll to six in an unfinished coal mine collapse in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region two weeks ago, said the local authorities.

The search for the remaining four missing miners was still underway, according to a statement released by the control center of the regional colliery safety bureau.

Altogether 21 workers were in the shaft when the accident happened at about 11:20 a.m. March 30 at the Shajihai Coal Mine. Eleven were lifted safely to the ground, but 10 others were trapped.

Rescuers have not got contact with the trapped workers or discovered any signs of life ever since April 2.

More than 110 people have been deployed on the rescue operation, but their efforts have been hampered by the loose gritstone structure, frequent collapses and water leak in the mine shaft, according to an officer with the Xinjiang coal mine work safety bureau.

The Shajihai Coal Mine, owned by the Luneng Coal-Electricity Development Co. Ltd., is designed with an annual output capacity of 900,000 tonnes. Construction started in June last year, and according to a schedule, the mine would be in operation by October next year.

Source: Xinhua