CLIMATECHINA
China: Rescue efforts for 53 miners paused after mudslide
2 hours ago2 hours ago
Before the landslide, four rescue teams of 109 people were searching for the 53 missing miners at the coal mine in China’s Inner Mongolia region.
https://p.dw.com/p/4NrkN
Rescue operations at a coal mine in China’s Inner Mongolia region have been disrupted after a massive landslide, state media reported on Thursday.
The open-pit coal mine, operated by Xinjing Coal Mining Co, had collapsed in the afternoon on Wednesday killing two people, injuring six and leaving more than 53 people missing.
President Xi Jinping had ordered search and rescue efforts after the collapse, state media reported.
“We must make every possible effort to rescue the missing persons and treat the injured,” Xi said.
large vehicles parked in a rowlarge vehicles parked in a row
As many as 238 firefighters, 41 fire trucks, and more teams of about 200 people were expected to arrive at the coal mine on ThursdayImage: Lian Zhen/Xinhua/AP/picture alliance
However, following the landslide that occurred in the evening on Wednesday, rescue operations at the site of the coal mine have been put on hold as of 6 am Thursday, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Before the landslide, four rescue teams of 109 people were searching for the trapped miners, according to state media.
As many as 238 firefighters, 41 fire trucks, six rescue dogs and more teams of about 200 people were expected to arrive on Thursday, as per state media reports.
“At 6:44 pm (on Wednesday), another large landslide occurred, and the rescue was forced to be interrupted,” Wei Zhiguo, who is leading the rescue operations, told state broadcaster CCTV.
Visiting China’s coal capital
02:35
“The rescue work is being carried out in an orderly and tense manner,” he said.
So far, no casualty has been reported at the site of the landslide.
Deadly mines
China relies heavily on coal to meet its energy requirements, however, the country’s coal mines are among the deadliest in the world.
Inner Mongolia is among the top coal-producing regions in China. Following calls from the government, mines are trying to amp up their output.
Over the years, safety at mines has improved in China but accidents still occur frequently mostly because safety regulations are not implemented properly.
mf/rc (AFP, Reuters)
