Rescuers are trying to save 11 people trapped underground after
the collapse of a shaft ceiling in a coal mine being constructed in
Datong, a city in Shanxi
Province, early on Monday, local officials said.
Officials at the provincial Coal Mine Safety Supervision Bureau
said that a 40-meter-long section of the ceiling gave way suddenly
at about 12:40 AM.
The 11 workers were engaged in boring operations underground at
the time.
According to experts, the collapse might be the result of mining
operations and geological movement in the surrounding area.
Datong is a major coal production base in China. Tashan
colliery, where the accident occurred, belongs to the Datong Coal
Mine (Group) Company.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2005)