Seven people were trapped when a coal mine flooded Sunday morning in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Fourteen workers were in the Xishan Coal Mine when the flooding occurred at about 7"About 2,000 cubic meters of water flooded the coal mine, and although five pumps had been working over 20 hours, it would still take at least five days to pump out all the water, said an official with the regional supervision bureau on coal mine safety.

People reported smelling gas within 20 meters from the coal mine entrance.

According to the rescue team, the cause of the accident might be that holes were dug in the upper and lower ledges, causing water at the finished upper ledge to pour in. Further investigation and rescue work are underway.

Close

Today's Top News		Top National News
+Bush open to security pledge for North Korea ( 2003-10-20) +US stands firm on one-China policy ( 2003-10-20) +Stable RMB good for development ( 2003-10-20) +Sino-Brazilian satellite to gather new science data ( 2003-10-20) +China to top charts as global tour mecca ( 2003-10-20)		+Chinese babies' growth impaired by lack of breast feeding ( 2003-10-20) +Seven trapped in flooded Xinjiang coal mine ( 2003-10-20) +Chinese vice premier meets with IFC leader ( 2003-10-20) +International trade fair on art performance opens in Shanghai ( 2003-10-20) +Tibetans expect benefits upon Tibet railway operation ( 2003-10-20)