Seven trapped in iron mine flooding in NE China
China's Ministry of Emergency Management has announced that by May 21, seven people were still unaccounted for in the iron-ore mine that flooded in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on May 17.
Forty-three people were initially trapped in the Cuihongshan mine in Xunke County of Heihe City when the ground collapsed causing river water to rush into the facility.
Ambulances parked outside the facility. /CCTV Photo
The mine was still under construction but started operations in February this year.
The ministry said preliminary investigation suggested that illegal mining caused the ground to give way and water from the nearby Kuerbin River to seep into the mine.
Some 300 rescuers were conducting search and rescue operations. /CCTV Photo
The authorities said the incident exposed the mining company's "blind pursuit of economic interests regardless of potential risks and inadequate safety supervision." They ordered a thorough safety overhaul to eliminate potential hazards.
According to media reports, 26 safety violations were recorded at the mine last year, briefly stopping construction work.
(Top image: CCTV Photo)