At least 5 safety inspectors killed in China mine flood

Of 15 safety inspectors underground during accident, 8 managed to escape but 2 remain missing

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING (AA) - Five people were killed and two others left missing after a coal mine flooded in southwest China during a safety inspection Wednesday.

State news agency Xinhua reported that of the 15 safety inspectors underground during the accident after midnight, eight managed to escape the mine in Guizhou Province.

The publicity department of Zheng'an County said in a press release that the flooding was caused by overflowing water from a nearby abandoned mine shaft.

Rescue efforts are ongoing.

Heavy rains have been sweeping across southern China for days, resulting in floods in Guizhou and neighboring Hunan Province, where roads have been damaged.

According to Xinhua, around 4,700 residents were evacuated from 82 townships in Hunan.

Local meteorological authorities expect rainstorms to continue in the region Thursday.

Kaynak: