Death toll rises in China mine collapsed

• Rescue efforts continue after coal mine collapse in northern China.
• 48 individuals were still missing and six were injured.
• The disaster happened on Wednesday in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia.

Thursday saw the continuation of search and rescue efforts in northern China after a coal mine collapse left at least five people dead and scores trapped.

According to state-run Chinese media, as of Thursday night, 48 individuals were still missing and six were injured.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the disaster happened on Wednesday in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, when a 180 meter (590 foot) steep slope gave way above the open-pit mine.

A significant landslide close to the scene on Wednesday night caused the rescue effort to be suspended overnight.

As of early Thursday morning, efforts were still hindered, while official media said in the afternoon that rescue efforts were “ongoing.”

Team leader Wei Zhiguo reported to CCTV from the scene that 40 medical personnel and more than 470 rescue personnel have been working at the area.

He added that a second 200-person squad has also been mobilized.

The Inner Mongolia autonomous authority has also summoned firefighters, rescue dogs, and trucks.

“I had just started work at 1:15 in the afternoon when I realized that rocks were falling from the mountain,” one hospitalized miner told CCTV on Thursday, as quoted by media.

“I saw that the situation was getting more and more serious, and an evacuation was organized, but it was too late, the mountain just collapsed.”

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

According to the news agency, Premier Li Keqiang of China demanded a prompt probe into the accident’s cause.

In the town of Alxa League, there is a coal mine that has collapsed and is owned by Xinjing Coal Mining Company.

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