36 days trapped underground: four Chinese miners rescued from collapsed mine
Workers trapped more than 200 metres underground are hoisted to safety but 13 still missing
Four miners trapped underground for 36 days in a collapsed gypsum mine have been freed in a “miracle” rescue in a country with a poor track record on industrial accidents.
The final operation to save the men trapped more than 200 metres underground took two hours late on Friday as they were hauled up to the surface one by one in a rescue “capsule”, according to China Central Television.
The four were among 29 trapped when the mine collapsed on December 25, but the rescue was marred as a local government official said there had been no contact with 13 other missing miners.
The incident drew comparisons to a 2010 mining accident in Chile, which saw 33 miners rescued after 69 days underground.
“It’s a miracle,” said one person commenting on social media. “I hope they can sit at the dinner table on the eve of the Spring Festival!” the posting said, referring to the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.
Dramatic footage released by state television showed rescue crews applauding as the men were brought above ground in Shandongprovince.
