Trapped Gold Miner Dies In China, Others Wait For Sunlight And Sausages

A Chinese worker trapped in a gold mine was reported dead as rescue workers tried to bore through the granite to reach the other miners stuck deep in the pit since an explosion sealed off the entrance on Jan. 10.

As many as 22 miners were trapped in the mine in the eastern province of Shandong following the unexplained blast that even cut off the communication system. It took rescue workers a week to establish contact with some of the miners. Ten workers are still unaccounted for.

The rescuers installed a telephone line and drilled channels to send food to them. They have been sending porridge, medicine and nutrient solutions to the trapped miners, who also requested sausage and pickles. Medical experts, however, decided they should not eat hard food because they have just regained their strength, Reuters reported, citing China’s Xinhua news agency.

The news of the death of a laborer Wednesday night comes amid plans to widen a shaft to extract the miners. The state media reported that the laborer was in a coma from head injuries suffered during the explosion. Two more workers are suspected to be in a serious condition.

Another miner is trapped alone and his condition is unknown because the rescuers have been unable to reach him. Rescuers have been lowering life detectors to other sections of the mine to find the missing miners, but they haven't received any signs yet, AFP reported, citing Xinhua.

The progress of the rescue operation has been slow, according to officials, because the rescuers are drilling through granite. The water-logged state of the mine could pose a further challenge to the rescue efforts, officials said.

Shandong provincial authorities sacked two top officials after the explosion at the mine that was under construction. Yantai city deputy mayor Li Bo said an investigation will be carried out and those responsible will be severely punished. The accident was not reported until 30 hours after the explosion.

Frequent mine accidents have prompted authorities in China to tighten safety standards. As many as 5,000 people used to die on average every year in the mining industry, AP reported. Two accidents in the southwestern megacity of Chongqing last year killed 39 miners.