3 dead, 11 missing in NE China flooded colliery

QITAIHE, Heilongjiang province - Three miners were confirmed dead, with another 11 missing, at a flooded coal mine from Saturday in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, rescuers said Tuesday.

Rescuers found three bodies on Tuesday morning, and their identities are still to be confirmed, said a spokesman with the rescue headquarters of the accident.

As of 7 am, six draining pump had been working, with a total water volume of 14,000 cubic meters pumped out, said the spokesman.

A total of 22 miners were working underground when the accident happened at 11:40 pm Saturday at the Furuixiang Coal Mine in Qitaihe city. Six miners managed to escape. Another two miners were escorted out of the mine at noon Sunday before being rushed to hospital.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.