Rescue of free Chinese miners trapped underground for nearly 2 weeks may take another 15 days

On January 10, after an explosion in Qixia City, Shandong Province, 22 miners were trapped at least 600 meters (2,000 feet) underground. China’s state news agency Xinhua reported that 11 miners were confirmed to be alive on Sunday after rescuers were able to drill a section of the mine’s tunnel and install telephone lines.

Official media said a miner is believed to have died after head injuries in the explosion. Ten people were trapped in a gold mine 600 meters (2,000 feet) from the entrance and contacted the rescue team. It is believed that one miner was trapped in another part, while the whereabouts and whereabouts of the other ten miners are still unknown.

Gong Haitao, deputy director of the Yantai City Propaganda Department, said at a press conference on Thursday that the mine was blocked by 70 tons of debris from 350 to 446 meters (1,100 to 1,400 feet) below the surface.

Gong said: “Although the efficiency of (rescue work) has improved since the 20th, it takes at least 15 days to clear the rescue channel on the main shaft due to the huge obstacles.”

The miners have been trapped underground for 12 days.

Gong added that rescuers are trying a variety of different methods to remove obstacles, including using high-power machinery and deploying more rescuers.

Concerns about untouched miners are growing day by day. According to Xinhua News Agency, some workers in the conference hall are trying to use laser pointers and loudspeakers to help rescuers find their missing colleagues, but they have not received a response.

Rescuers have also drilled smaller channels to other parts of the mine, and are reducing the nutrient solution and other methods to detect breathing or activity, but no signs of life are found.

According to reports, rescuers first heard the knock on the door of the trapped person on January 17, and then pulled the rope. On Monday, the miners were able to receive records from rescuers. Xinhua News Agency quoted the statement as saying: “We are exhausted and urgently need stomach medicine, painkillers, medical tape, and topical anti-inflammatory drugs. Three people suffer from high blood pressure.”