Third miner dead in SW China colliery flood

WENG'AN, Guizhou - Rescuers have confirmed that  another miner has died from a flooded coal mine in Southwest China's Guizhou province.

Of the nine miners that were trapped at the site, three have died, another three are missing and rescuers are trying to save three others who are alive.

The three that are alive have been contacted and were about 100 meters away from rescuers at Sunday noon, according to the local rescue headquarters.

They are located in a tunnel and have a good chance of survival, said Sha Xiangui, secretary of Weng'an county committee of the Communist Party of China.

The water is about five meters deep and is decreasing by 35 cm per hour, Sha said.

The flood hit the mine in Weng'an County at around 10 pm on Friday with the nine miners being trapped underground and 32 others lifted out safely.

The coal mine, reported to have an annual output of 90,000 tonnes, belongs to Yunda Coal Mine, which has an official production license.

A further investigation in to the cause of accident is underway.