Zhengzhou (China): Thirty-three people were trapped in a flooded coal mine early Monday in central China's Henan province.

Previous report said 34 people were trapped, but the Henan provincial government later revised the number after it confirmed that eight workers were able to move to safety.

The Gaomendong coal mine was flooded at about 7.30 a.m. when 42 miners were working in the pit. Eight escaped but 34 others were trapped, according to the national works safety administration.

The cause of the flood was being investigated, officials said.

This is the third coal mine accident in Henan in less than three weeks.

Two people died and 19 remained missing Oct 30 when the Mazhuang mine of Jiyuan City was flooded. Four government officials, including the deputy director of Jiyuan's industrial and economic development bureau, were sacked over the incident.

Three miners died in a coal mine collapse in Yiyang county Nov 13.

 

Source : IANS