Twelve miners were trapped in a coal mine accident in Longyan City, east China's Fujian Province, at around 9:30 AM on Saturday, said local police.

 

Water leaked into a pit of the Chikeng coal mine located in Longyan's Xinluo District when 14 miners were working at the site. Two of them escaped and other 12 were trapped in the flooded coal mine.

Provincial officials and more than 260 rescuers have worked together for the rescue work. Three ventilation facilities were put into use to ensure sufficient fresh air for the trapped.

 

There is still no access to the trapped miners, whose condition remains unknown to the rescuers.

 

The Chikeng coal mine, established in 1991, with a designed annual production capability of 30,000 tons, has complete licenses.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2005)