Seven workers trapped in collapsed tunnel confirmed dead

GUIYANG - Rescuers have recovered the bodies of seven people who were trapped in a collapsed expressway tunnel, wrapping up a seven-day rescue mission in Guizhou Province.

The seven men were working underground when the tunnel collapsed at around 3:00 p.m. on Sept. 13. More than 700 rescue personnel were sent to save the trapped people, according to local rescue headquarters.

The incident occurred after heavy rain caused over 20,000 cubic meters of mud to flood the tunnel, said rescue headquarters.

The tunnel is part of work to upgrade the expressway linking the two counties of Zhijin and Puding in Guizhou Province.