At least five workers died when the top of a mine collapsed in southwestern China, the second such accident to occur in the Asian country in a week.
The collapse of the mine, located in Sichuan province, left 25 miners buried this Sunday morning. Five of the miners were killed, three seriously injured and the others escaped unharmed, the province’s Department of Emergency Management said.
Chinese state agencies have not detailed what type of mine is involved, noting only that it is not a coal mine.
The accident comes as rescue efforts continue at the collapsed open pit mine in north China’s Inner Mongolia region. Six people were found dead and another six were rescued alive, but 47 miners remain buried under tons of rubble.
The cause of the collapse of a mine wall six days ago is being investigated. An unknown number of people were arrested.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an “all-out” effort in the rescue efforts. Local authorities have ordered inspections and safety improvements at other mines in the region, which produce much of the coal, metals and rare earths vital to the Chinese economy.
More than 1,000 first responders were dispatched to the scene, as well as life detection teams and rescue dogs.
Hours after the initial collapse, another landslide disrupted rescue efforts for several hours during a crucial time to rescue survivors.
China relies predominantly on coal for power, but has worked to reduce the number of fatal accidents in mines by placing greater emphasis on safety and shutting down smaller operations that lacked necessary equipment.
Most mining deaths are attributed to explosions caused by the accumulation of methane and coal dust.
China has witnessed a series of deadly industrial and construction accidents in recent months as a result of poor training and safety regulations, corruption and a tendency to cut costs by companies seeking to maximize profits.
In 2015, two explosions at chemical facilities in the port area of the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin killed at least 165 people and caused more than $1 billion in damage.
Source: TSF
