China Iron Mine Flood: 8 people missing in Heilongjiang Province, river drainage underway

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01:24

Now to northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, 8 miners are still believed to be trapped underground after an iron mine accident early Friday morning. Our reporter Feng Yilei has the latest from the scene.

35 people have been rescued after a recently launched iron ore mine flooded in Xunke County.

Hundreds of rescue workers have been working day and night to rescue the remaining 8.

ZHANG RAOPENG MINER "We saw water rushing down with big rocks, in a flow of debris. We hung on to pipes and wires to get as high as we could. You would be washed away if you let go."

Rescued miners received medical care with the help from the neighboring Yichun City.

NI FUYONG, VICE DIRECTOR YICHUN FIRST HOSPITAL "Upon arrival, we examined and treated the early rescued miners. But as time went on, some were sent to hospitals for proper first-aid treatment."

While the injured are all reported to be in stable condition, the rescue team is focusing on river diversion and water drainage.

CAI YUNLIANG, DEPUTY COUNTY MAYOR XUNKE COUNTY, HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE "We are pumping water out of the river to stop further leakage and thus ensuring rescue in the pit can proceed smoothly."

FENG YILEI XUNKE COUNTY "Rescuers think the water leakage in the tunnel was very likely caused by a riverbank collapse after days of heavy rain. And bad weather will continue to impact rescue work. Feng Yilei, Xunke County in Heilongjiang Province."