A Coal mine accident has claimed the life of twenty-three people after being trapped in a mine in China’s southwestern city of Chongqing, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.
This is the region’s second such accident in just over two months according to the report.
The agency stated that the deceased were among 24 people trapped underground by excessive levels of carbon monoxide gas at the Dishuidong coal mine, adding that one survivor had been rescued, after more than 30 hours of search and rescue efforts by authorities.
It also added that Friday’s incident, which occurred at about 5 p.m. (0900 GMT) in a mine shut for more than two months as the company dismantled underground equipment, is being investigated.
According to a statement published on China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, China has on Sunday ordered local authorities to ‘resolutely take decisive measures to effectively stop major accidents in coal mines from happening.’
The statement also stated that Officials from the State Council urged the Chongqing government to launch a comprehensive safe production check on all coal mines, and eliminate outdated production capacity in an orderly and safe manner.China’s mines are among the world’s most dangerous, with 16 deaths reported in late September after high levels of carbon monoxide trapped miners at the Songzao coal mine in Chongqing.
Diaoshuidong mine was built in 1975 and has been run since 1998 as a private enterprise. It is a high-gas mine with an annual capacity of 120,000 tonnes of coal, Xinhua news agency said. The mine had witnessed another accident in 2013, where three people were killed and two injured in a hydrogen sulphide poisoning incident as the mine report says.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK