The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Chinese coal mine fire traps 36 underground

By 로컬편집기사

Published : July 7, 2011 - 19:24

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BEIJING (AP) ― Chinese officials say a coal mine fire has trapped at least 36 people underground in the country’s east. It’s the second accident in a week in China’s notoriously dangerous coal industry.

The State Administration of Work Safety said Thursday that an air compressor 225 meters underground caught fire Wednesday evening.

It says an initial investigation found 36 miners are trapped and a rescue operation is under way.

Elsewhere in China, rescuers are still working to reach 42 miners trapped over the weekend following heavy rains in the south.

State-run Xinhua News Agency says rescuers have been offered 2 million yuan ($300,000) for each miner they pull out alive.