Mine rescuers face difficulties

Rescuers continued to work around the clock to clear a path to miners who were trapped underground since Saturday night, according to local authorities.

A rock burst occurred around 11 pm on Saturday, destroying part of a water drainage tunnel in a coal mine operated by Shandong Longyun Coal Industry Co in Yuncheng county, Shandong province, and trapping 22 miners underground.

As of noon on Monday, 18 workers remained trapped in the mine. Three others have died, including one who was lifted out on Sunday afternoon and given medical treatment. One was lifted out on Sunday afternoon and is now in the hospital.