CHINA TOPIX

11/24/2024 05:10:18 pm

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Update: All 33 Trapped Miners Found Dead in Chongqing's Coal Mine Explosion

Rescue workers carry a body of a victim killed by an explosion at Xishui Colliery on March 21, 2005 in Shuozhou of Shanxi Province, northern China.

(Photo : Getty Images) Rescue workers carry a body of a victim killed by an explosion at Xishui Colliery on March 21, 2005 in Shuozhou of Shanxi Province, northern China.

All 33 miners who were trapped after an explosion occurred in Chongqing, China, have been found dead, state media reported on Wednesday.

According to People's Daily China, all the remains of the victims have been pulled out from the Jinshangou mine and were being identified. Of the 35 miners working that day, only two managed to escape alive.

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Since the accident took place on Monday morning, more than 400 rescue personnel have conducted a round the clock search operation, shifting turns on going down the shaft to look for victims, the BBC reported.

After the operation, rescuers were seen bowing down their heads in memorial for the dead, according to the LA Times.

Investigation about the cause of the explosion is still underway. However, such accidents usually result when a flame or electric spark ignites leaking from the coal seam. An effective ventilation system is supposed to prevent gas from being trapped.

Meanwhile, following the deadly accident, which took place at 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the Jinshangou Coal Mine in the town of Laisu, Chongqing officials have implemented a strict safety overhaul. It temporarily shut down smaller mines with less than 90,000 tons of yearly output. The Jinshangou mine has a 60,000 annual output, according to its license.

The State Administration of Work Safety has also launched an investigation, adding that "those responsible must be strictly punished."

China's mining industry has long been known as the most deadly in the world, according to The Wall Street Journal. Earlier this year, the head of the State Administration of Work Safety said that struggling coal mines might have most likely overlooked maintenance.

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