Fifty-one workers missing after coal mine collapse

陈小将

Rescue work is underway after the collapse of a coal mine in Alshaa League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]
Fifty-one workers remain missing after an accident where an open-pit coal mine collapsed in Alshaa League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, according to local authorities.

The accident, which happened at around 1 pm Wednesday, has so far left two people dead and another six injured.

Previously, local authorities said the number of workers trapped stood at 53. The number was changed to 51 at 00:30 on Thursday after further investigation and verification.

Li Zhongzeng, head of Alshaa League, said 11 rescue teams with 470 rescuers have arrived in the site. Their operation is facilitated by more than 130 sets of large machinery. Wang Xiangxi, minister of emergency management, and Sun Shaocheng, Party chief of Inner Mongolia, have both arrived at the coal mine to guide the rescue operation.