Society

Three miners still trapped after mine blast

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-24 15:57

CHANGSHA - Three coal miners have been rescued but three others remain trapped after a coal mine blast in Hunan Province, the local government said Thursday.

Six miners were working about 30 meters underground in Tianxin Colliery of Jiahe County, Chenzhou City when a large amount of coal and gas burst out Wednesday noon.

They were conducting a gas examination and shaft maintenance when the blast happened.

Rescuers lifted three of the six men to the ground at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. However, the location of the other three miners remained unknown, said Yin Zhenliang, the county's publicity chief.

The rescued miners were discharged from hospital after overnight medical observation.

The mine, owned by the county's township-level government, had a license to operate.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.