Society

4 dead, 1 missing after entering C China iron mine

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-07 13:29

ZHENGZHOU - Four villagers are dead and one is missing after they entered a disused iron mine filled with poisonous gases in Central China's Henan province, a local government spokesperson said Wednesday.

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At around 2:30 pm Monday, three people from Anhe village of Leikou township, Anyang county, entered the mine near their farmland to search for a water source, but did not reappear.

Another two villagers went down to the mine shaft to search for them, and also failed to return.

The county government spokesperson said the mine was full of harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. After dispelling the gases, rescuers went down the shaft and had recovered the bodies of four villagers late Tuesday.

Rescuers are still searching for the missing person.