While rescue operations meant to save 17 miners currently trapped in a recently collapsed Chinese mine was ongoing, the mine's owner drowned himself, to the surprise of many.

RIP Ma Congbo, Chinese gypsum mine owner, suicide by drowning.

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— JustDiedBot (@JustDiedBot) December 27, 2015

The provincial government said that during the rescue operations that were being held in the very early hours of the morning, mine owner Ma Congbo reportedly jumped into a mine well and drowned himself, reports the state-run Xinhua news agency.

"Preliminary investigation conducted by local police shows that he drowned himself by jumping into water as he was working with the rescue team, at around 2 a.m. on Sunday," said Linyi City Mayor Zhang Shuping.

The facility, which mines gypsum – a soft mineral used for construction purposes – is owned by Yurong Commerce and Trade Ltd. Co., and is located in Pingyi County's Linyi City, Shandong province, south of Beijing.

Yurong company has repeatedly shown itself in the local work safety administration's watchlist multiple times, reports Beijing Youth Daily.

It was reported by an administration official that earlier in November, a safety check led to the suspension of the mine's operations in November. However, it is believed that the mine kept operating secretly, while under suspension.

When the gypsum mine collapsed Friday, it was initially reported by the China Earthquake Networks Center that a 4.0-magnitude earthquake had hit Pingyi County. It was later revealed that the quake was actually caused by the mine caving-in.

Reports say that the although the clear and official cause of the collapse is still under investigation, a report from Beijing Youth Daily (cited by CNN) said that it was caused by abandoned gypsum mines near the vicinity.

Numerous deaths stemming from failed industrial safety hazards have triggered a growing level of anger from the general population, including the government, reports Daily Mail.

As such, Chinese authorities have reportedly reinforced tougher punishments for negligent employers, reports BBC.

These kinds of tougher punishments might push other suicides to happen, such as the suicide committed by an official in the wake of the Shenzhen landslide.

A total of 29 miners were working underground when the mine collapsed. Four were able to escape to safety, one died, and seven were already rescued.

Rescuers have drilled holes in attempts to access the trapped miners, and to give them food and water, reports CRI. More than 700 volunteers are involved in the rescue operations.

The government has called for the suspension of all gypsum mines located in Zaozhuang, Tai'an and Linyi, for the purpose of conducting thorough safety checks.

TagsMa Congbo, Yurong Commerce and Trade Ltd. Co., Pingyi County