24 people trapped in coal mine in Chongqing

Twenty-four people were trapped in the Diaoshuidong Coal Mine in Yongchuan district, Chongqing, on Friday afternoon at around 5 pm after a carbon monoxide overrun accident occurred, according to the local government.

The coal mine has been closed for more than two months. The coal company organized workers to dismantle the underground equipment without the permission from the related department.

After the accident, some Chongqing officials rushed to the scene as soon as possible to organize public security, emergency, fire and other departments at the municipal and district levels to carry out rescue work for trapped individuals. The cause of the accident is under further investigation.