Death Toll Rises to 36 in SW China Coal Mine ExplosionThe number of deaths resulting from the gas explosion in southwestern Guizhou Province has increased to 36, with 51 seriously injured and 32 slightly injured.Fate of the 122 trapped underground is still unknown. The latest information was given by officials in charge of the rescue operation at 5 p.m. Thursday. The explosion took place at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Muchonggou Mine of the Shuicheng Coal Mines in Liupanshui where 241 people were working underground. About 240 rescue workers are still trying to restore the ventilation system and are expected to complete it by 10 p.m. tonight, or earlier, and get through the passage to save the stranded miners. Medical personnel have been rushed to the city from other parts of the province to provide emergency medical aid. Qian Yunlu, governor of Guizhou and two vice governors arrived at the site of the disaster last night to coordinate a rescue operation. Having been informed about the disaster, the Chinese government has ordered relevant ministries and the local government to organize all-out rescue operations to save the stranded workers and injured ones. A work team, headed by Sheng Huaren, minister of Economic and Trade Commission, are on their way to the site after their arrival in the provincial capital of Guiyang. |
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