Coal mine death toll climbs as rescue attempts continue – China

• The coal mine left at least four dead and dozens trapped.
• 49 people are still missing.
• The rescue operation was interrupted late Wednesday evening due to a major landslide.

China: Search and rescue operations continued in northern China Thursday, after a collapsed coal mine left at least four dead and dozens trapped.

As of Thursday afternoon, 49 people were still missing. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the catastrophe occurred Wednesday in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, when a 180-meter (590-foot) steep slope fell way above an open-pit mine.

The rescue operation was interrupted late Wednesday evening due to a major landslide near the location, and efforts remained stalled as of early Thursday morning – however official media stated in the afternoon that operations were “ongoing.”

More than 470 rescue workers and 40 medical personnel have been working at the incident, according to team commander Wei Zhiguo, who spoke to CCTV from the scene. He also stated that an additional 200-person squad has been mobilized.

Firefighters, rescue dogs, and trucks have also been dispatched from around the autonomous territory of Inner Mongolia.

“We must make every possible effort to rescue the missing persons and treat the injured,” said Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has ordered an immediate probe into the reason of the disaster.

The Xinjiang Coal Mining Company owns the collapsed coal mine, which is located in the town of Alxa League.

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