Society

Coalmine gas leak traps 7 in China's Xinjiang

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-08 18:15

URUMQI - Seven miners had been trapped in a coal mine pit after a sudden gas leak early Sunday morning in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said.

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The gas leak occurred at 0:46 am Sunday when seven miners were working underground at the Mingfangou Coal Mine in the northern mountainous region of Kuqa County, said a spokesman with the county government.

As of 1 pm, rescuers had entered the shaft four times but failed to reach the trapped miners due to the high gas content in the pit and poor visibility caused by coal dust.

Rescuers were racing to get fresh air and spray water into the shaft to decrease gas density and reduce dust, according to the county government.

Rescuers were preparing to enter the shaft for the fifth time, said the spokesman.