DENGTA, China, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Mining accidents in northeast and north China prompted the government to close all coal mines in Dengta City and iron ore mines in Baotou District.
Attempts to rescue 29 trapped miners from the flooded Haolaigou Iron Ore Mine in Baotou hit a snag on Monday, officials told the official Xinhua news agency. Sudden rises in water levels forced officials to evacuate 51 rescuers from the shaft.
The mine originally flooded during a shift change last week, trapping 35 workers. Six have been rescued and are "recovering" in Baotou Central Hospital. Chaoyue Mining Co. Ltd. owns the mine.
Residents in nearby areas have been relocated. Once water levels fall, rescuers hope to finish drilling a hole to the shaft so that water and food can be delivered to the trapped miners.
Rescue efforts ceased at the Xiyanghong Coal Mine in Dengta City where four bodies have been recovered. Three trapped miners are presumed dead in the burning shaft where a fire started Friday morning. Both mines are under private ownership.
