5 still missing in flooded mine in N China

TAIYUAN - Nearly 1,000 rescuers are working around the clock to reach five people who have been trapped in a flooded coal mine in North China's Shanxi province for two days.

Factors such as narrow shafts and excessive silt are complicating rescue efforts, local rescue officials told a press briefing.

Meanwhile, an unknown amount of water is still flowing into the shafts. More than 5,000 cubic meters of water have been pumped out and rescuers are racing to clear the rest.

Underground water gushed into a coal mine owned by Guzhou Weifeng Mining Co Ltd in Pingding County at around 7 pm Wednesday when 76 miners were working. Seventy-one managed to escape and five were trapped inside.

Rescuers have drilled a tunnel to the underground shaft where it is believed the five miners are trapped. They are trying to make contact with the missing workers and provide them with food.

Six medical teams at the site are ready to offer emergency treatment to any survivors.

Guzhou Weifeng Mining Co Ltd, a licensed state-owned company, has a designed annual production capacity of 600,000 tonnes.