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Coal Mine in China Collapses, 5 Dead and Dozens Missing. PHOTO/Reuters
BEIJING – The death toll from the collapse coal mine in the Inner Mongolia region, China increased to five people on Thursday (23/2/2023). It was also reported that 6 people were injured and dozens more are still missing.
The collapse of an open pit mine at Liga Alxa operated by Xinjing Coal Mining on Wednesday (23/2/2023) left a pile of rubble about 500 meters wide and estimated to be 80 meters high, state media reported.
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“I had just started work at 1.15pm when I noticed rocks falling from the mountain,” a miner who was hospitalized told state broadcaster CCTV.
“I saw that the situation was getting serious, and evacuation was arranged, but it was too late, the mountain just collapsed,” he continued.
President Xi Jinping on Wednesday ordered search and rescue efforts, state media reported, although a second landslide late in the evening hampered work to find survivors.
“We must make every effort to rescue the missing and treat the wounded,” Xi said. While Prime Minister Li Keqiang also demanded a quick investigation into the cause of the collapse.
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Three hundred firefighters, 60 fire engines and six search and rescue dogs were on the scene Thursday to help search for the trapped miners, state media said.
The National Health Commission said late on Wednesday six injured people had been rescued and had dispatched 15 ambulances and 45 medical staff to assist with the rescue.