Rescue work is progressing slowly after two gas outburst
accidents on Thursday and Friday in north China's Hebei Province, with 18 miners still missing
underground.
The two accidents happened Thursday in Dashucun coal mine and
Friday in the Tao'er coal mine respectively, in which ten miners
have been confirmed dead and 18 others are still missing, said
rescuers, adding that the survival chances for the trapped are very
slim.
The gas density in both coal mines is still beyond safety limits
and the explosion discharged a large amount of coal powder, said a
spokesman for the rescuing headquarters.
Rescuers have to use mechanic fans to dissipate gas in the shaft
and then sprinkle water on the powder to prevent the particles from
floating in the air before they can search for the trapped
miners.
They are also required not to use any mechanical equipment to
avoid hurting the trapped workers.
The Dashucun coal mine is among the country's highest gas
density coal mines. Rescuers have to stop clearing the debris
immediately when the gas density is detected to exceed the safe
level, a spokesman with the coal mine said.
By 17:00 p.m. Sunday, 113.4 tons of coal powder had been cleared
from the coal mine.
The government of Hebei Province has decided to install
gas-monitoring system to all coal mines this year to prevent gas
blasts and make better use of the gas resources.
(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2007)