Society

Coal mine collapse traps 10 in Xinjiang

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-30 21:53
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URUMQI - Ten construction workers are trapped underground after a coal mine that was under construction collapsed Tuesday in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

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Altogether 21 workers were in the shaft when the accident happened at about 10 a.m. at the Shajihai Coal Mine in the Mongolian Autonomous County of Hoboksar, and 11 were lifted safely to the ground, a county government spokesman said.

Work safety authorities have launched a rescue operation, he said.

The cause of the collapse is being investigated, he said.

The Shajihai Coal Mine, owned by the Luneng Coal-Electricity Development Co. Ltd., is designed with an annual output capacity of 900,000 tonnes. Construction started in June last year and it is expected to be in operation in October next year.