A mudslide disrupted rescue operations at a coal mine collapse in China’s Inner Mongolia region that killed at least two people, injured six and left more than 53 people missing, state media reported Thursday. The collapse occurred on Wednesday at an open-pit mine in Alxa League operated by Xinjing Coal Mining Co.
After the collapse, President Xi Jinping ordered a search and rescue operation, state media reported. “We must make every possible effort to rescue the missing persons and treat the injured,” Si said.
But a landslide on Wednesday evening led to the suspension of the search and it had not resumed by 6:00 a.m. (2200 GMT) on Thursday, state media said. No casualties were reported in the mudslide.
Coal is China’s main source of energy, but its mines are among the most dangerous in the world, largely due to lax enforcement of safety standards, despite repeated government orders to improve safety over the years.
Inner Mongolia is a major coal-producing region. China’s mines have struggled to boost output over the past year amid government calls for more supply and stable prices.
Four 109-strong rescue teams were searching for the trapped miners before the mudslide, state media said. Authorities also sent 238 firefighters, 41 fire trucks and six rescue dogs to join the rescue, and more teams of about 200 people were expected to arrive on Thursday, state media said.
Premier Li Keqiang demanded a quick investigation into the cause of the collapse. The accident was the most-watched discussion on social media platform Weibo on Thursday, with some users saying most of the missing were dump truck and excavator drivers. The National Health Commission said on Wednesday night that six injured people had been rescued and had dispatched 15 ambulances and 45 paramedics to help with the rescue.
