13 rescued from mine accident in Guangxi, 36 still trapped

36 coal miners are still trapped after a mine flooded at about 3.30pm yesterday at the Nadu Mine in the Guangxi region. Rescuers have since saved 13 people after 10 hours and 12 of the 36 still trapped are in contact with rescuers and are in safe places within the mine. These miners are reported to be about 2km from the mouth of the mine and rescuers are struggling to get water and food to them as they continue rescue efforts.

China's mines have a notoriously bad safety record. In 2007 it was reported that mines had officially claimed nearly 3800 lives although it is likely that the actual toll is much higher. A quick Google search revealed that the most common cause of mine fatalities were from either flooding or explosions caused by coal bed methane.

Only last month the People's Daily reported 28 miners were killed in a mine explosion when illegal explosives accidentially ignited in the mine in which they were stored. Frankly, the alarming regularity of these reports and the recurring theme of mismanagement leading to fatalities seems like a fantastic reason for green energy initiatives.

For information on yesterday's accident click here and here

For old news on other mine accidents click here, here, here and here

Photo by Andrew Ciceri