NE China tunnel collapse workers leave hospital

HUNCHUN, Jilin - Seven of 12 workers rescued after more than 80 hours trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Northeast China's Jilin province have been discharged from hospital, local authorities said Tuesday.

The other five rescued workers are still under inpatient care, but they are in stable conditions, according to a statement issued by the information office of the Hunchun City government.

The 12 workers were pouring concrete in an under-construction high-speed rail tunnel when it collapsed at about 2 am last Wednesday.

Rescuers made contact with the trapped workers and delivered food to them at 1:55 pm Friday through a passage bored into the tunnel.

The workers were all saved at around 3:30 p.m. Saturday. In hospital, they were found to be dehyboaidrated but otherwise in decent health.