State CGTN At the time of the incident, there were 17 people inside the Songzao coal mine in the Chinese city of Chongqing, the broadcaster said. Only one person was pulled alive by rescuers and their condition is critical at the hospital, CGTNA reported.
The accident happened just after noon local time on Sunday, when a fire broke out in the conveyor belt of the mine, causing carbon monoxide levels to rise and trapping miners.
The state news agency Xinhua reported that carbon monoxide levels inside the coal mine had exceeded safe limits.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement that it was working to identify the cause of the accident and implement safety measures.
A team led by the deputy director of the National Coal Safety Oversight Bureau was sent to guide rescue and recovery efforts at the mine, the ministry said.
The facility is owned by the state energy company Chongqing Energy. Songzao coal mine operators were previously fined and warned of safety violations at the site.
In a statement released by the Bureau, in late 2019, the Chongqing Coal Mine Safety Inspection Bureau imposed “administrative fines” and fines ranging from 700 700 to mine 4,200 for the use of inappropriate methods of mine blasting.
.
