Nine miners were confirmed dead up to 12:30 AM Sunday in the
five iron mines that caught fire Saturday morning in the city of
Shahe in north China's Hebei
Province, while 39 were rescued and 58 still
trapped.??
According to preliminary investigation, the fire broke out due
to electronic cable self-ignition in one iron mine in Baita
township, privately run by Li Shengwen and others, at approximately
10:30 AM Saturday morning.
The fire spread quickly to four other nearby iron mines because
the five mines were communicated with each other. Heavy smog soon
trapped 106 miners.
Rescue work was organized immediately, and 175 rescuers in 15
teams managed to save 39 miners up to 12:30 AM Sunday. Premier Wen
Jiabao has urged to save the lives of miners at any cost.
Six smog-expelling machines have been installed and eight
ventilation experts have rushed to the spot. All rescued miners
have been hospitalized.
Local public security bureau has caught the bosses of the mines
and frozen their bank accounts.
?
(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn November 21, 2004)
