More than 20 killed, 29 injured in mining accident in Inner Mongolia

Twenty-one miners died and 29 were injured after a shuttle lost control on its way down a mine shaft.

The incident happened at around 8:20 am on Saturday at a silver, lead and zinc mine operated by Yinman Mining Co in Xi Ujimchin Banner, Xiliin Gol League, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, local officials said.

A preliminary investigation by the local emergency management department has found that the shuttle crashed into the side of the tunnel after a brake failure.

An investigation team organized by the local government is still working to find out more details and responsible persons or parties.

Fifteen were pronounced dead at the site, one died on the way to the hospital and other five died at the hospital.

Twenty nine injured people were hospitalized. The local hospitals did not have enough blood in stock, so hundreds of citizens lined up to donate blood on Saturday after an appeal for blood through the media.

The National Health Commission dispatched a four-member team with a critical care specialist and a psychologist to help treat and comfort the injured.

Fu Jianhua, vice-minister of emergency management, led a team to the site to guide the relief work on Saturday.

Yinman Mining Co, which operates the largest silver mine in the country, is a subsidiary of Inner Mongolia Xingye Mining Co and is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. It produces about 200 metric tons of silver annually. At its present capacity, the company is forecast to be able to use the mine for 30 years, a company report said.

In its last case involving a death, on June 22, 2016, one miner died after the roof of a mine owned by Yinman collapsed.