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Eight dead in China mine flood

ALMOST four weeks after the flooding of a central China coal mine trapped 16 workers, local authorities have confirmed eight deaths as the last two bodies that were unaccounted for have been lifted from the shaft.

Justin Niessner
Eight dead in China mine flood

When the underground Qielichong colliery flooded on July 4, 40 miners were reportedly working underground but only 24 managed to escape.

Of the 16 miners unable to escape, eight were rescued within four days although 11 were confirmed alive as late as June 9, official state media outlet Xinhua earlier reported.

Recovery of the last two bodies on Sunday raised the final death toll of the incident to eight after a month-long rescue effort.

Xinhua said the inundation of the mine was not reported to the government until the day after, delaying rescue operations by almost 12 hours.

Floodwaters were drained, ventilation was resumed and three huge rocks blocking a major passageway in the shaft were moved in the first days of rescue operations.

Six rescue teams of 90 members and more than 1000 people were at the scene to assist.

No details about the legality or management of the mine have yet been provided by the state but mine owner Liu Yaping has been taken into police custody.

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