China rescues 11 trapped workers from gold mine

ANKARA

China rescued 11 miners on Sunday, 14 days after they were trapped following an underground explosion in a gold mine in the eastern Shandong province, state media reported.

The first miner, said to be in an extremely weak condition, was lifted at 11:13 a.m. local time (0313GMT), and rushed to a hospital, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The number of rescued workers increased to 11 at around 3:18 p.m. local time (0718 GMT).

The 11 miners had established contact with ground workers in the goldmine in Qixia city of Shandong a week ago, said the state-run Global Times newspaper.

A total of 22 miners were trapped about 600 meters (1,968 feet) underground since the mine blast on Jan. 10.

One of them was seriously injured in the initial explosion, and has been confirmed dead.

With 633 personnel as well as equipment, rescue operations are underway at the site to lift the remaining trapped pitmen.