Storm interrupts rescue of Chinese miners

QINGLONG, China, June 20 (UPI) -- Efforts to reach 15 coal miners trapped in a flooded underground mine Saturday were hampered by a storm that knocked out power to the site, officials said.

The condition of the miners was unknown, the state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Chen Min, a regional political official, said lightning strikes Friday night cut of electrical power twice, keeping rescuers from pumping water from the shaft and providing ventilation. One rescuer was left unconscious when shocked by seepage from the electrical system, Xinhua said.

"Without ventilation, gas would accumulate underground so that rescuers must leave," Chen said.

The flooding occurred at about 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Xinqiao coal mine in Gguizhou province in southwestern China.

Xinhua reported the mine owner allegedly failed to report the accident immediately and also tried to cover up the exact number of miners underground at the time.