5 dead, 16 remain trapped after Shandong coal mine accident

JINAN - Five miners have been killed, one has been rescued, while another 16 remain trapped after a rock burst at a coal mine in East China's Shandong province on Saturday, local authorities announced on Thursday.

The accident occurred at around 11 p.m. Saturday at Longyun Coal Mining Co. Ltd. in Yuncheng County. A total of 22 people were trapped in the tunnel after coal fell at both ends from the rock burst.

Rescue work is continuing and the accident is under investigation.

Rock bursts are often caused by fractures in rocks due to wear and tear from mining.