Rescue efforts continue for 181 Chinese mine workers

Last Updated: Monday, August 20, 2007 | 7:42 AM ET

CBC News

Rescue workers continued Monday to pump water from a flooded mine in China after 181 miners were trapped inside three days ago.

Bystanders look on near a giant depression where flood water is believed to have seeped into the Huayuan Mining Co. coal mine in Xintai, in eastern China's Shandong province, Sunday.
(Color China Photo/Associated Press)

A group of 172 miners was trapped Friday afternoon when a dike on Wen River in the eastern province of Shandong burst following heavy rains, flooding the mine and a nearby shaft where nine other miners were.

Rescue officials and state media have not indicated whether there is any chance the miners could still be alive.

Distraught family members gathered outside the company's gate Monday morning, shouting for information. About 20 relatives showed up at the gate Monday morning, with twice that number coming on Sunday.

An inquiry desk had been set up by the company to answer questions and take down family members' contact information.

Meanwhile, experts who were part of the rescue effort had determined where the miners are believed to be.

"We've determined the general location of the miners, the general area. There's still some hope," Bu Changsheng, a water engineering expert, told Associated Press.

Four industrial pumps were in place and two more were expected to be operational by Monday night. Holes had to be drilled in some places to get the pumps in.

China's state-owned media had little coverage of the flooded mine and television crews were asked not to film.

The country's coal mines are some of the world's most dangerous, with an average of 13 workers dying every day. The death toll has become a blemish for the government, which has called for improved safety in an industry that provides two-thirds of China's energy needs.