Sounds heard in China mine where 153 trapped

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: AP

Sounds of tapping and maybe shouts were heard Friday coming from the pipes of a flooded Chinese coal mine where 153 workers were trapped more than five days earlier, a rescue official said.

Rescuer Zhao Chuan told The Associated Press by telephone that rescuers at the Wangjialing mine in the northern province of Shanxi heard what sounded like people knocking on pipes around 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) local time, the first signs of life since the mine was flooded with water Sunday afternoon.

Zhao said he had heard from colleagues that another rescue team reported hearing people shouting underground as well but he could not yet immediately confirm that account.

Government officials have said the flood was triggered when workers digging tunnels broke through into an old shaft filled with water. Rescuers have been working around the clock to pump water out of the mine.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtv5g3SogRCpX-mQE8lqlqDkRVYQD9EQRKUG0

[Suji to Seoul]

1. In 山西 province, winter just ended, just like here in 河北.

That water is cold.

Please get them out, rescuers.

[closeupready]

2. Oh, gosh - I really hope they get them out of there quickly.

:scared:

[smoogatz]

3. Note to self regarding future job prospects:

Avoid mining in China.

Good luck to them and godspeed to their rescuers--I can think of few things more terrifying.

[CountAllVotes]

4. people shouting underground as well but he could not yet immediately confirm that account

This will never be "confirmed".

You betcha!

:dem:

[superconnected]

5. So glad to hear some are still alive. Godspeed to getting them out.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. How many tons of coal is a miner's life worth?

Dirty fuel, dirty business.