[ad_1]
State media claim the rescued miner was “ in extremely poor physical condition ” after 14 days imprisoned underground.
The first of 22 people trapped in a gold mine in northern China has been evacuated, state media said, 14 days after being trapped underground in a blast.
The man, discovered on Sunday, was in “extremely poor physical condition,” CCTV said. He was in a separate section of the mine from the 10 workers who had already established contact with rescuers.
Rescuers have faced difficult conditions to help the 22 workers since an underground explosion at the Hushan mine in Shandong province sealed them underground amid rising waters on January 10.
Images from a state broadcaster showed a small forklift lifted to the surface by a huge drill bit, accompanied by rescuers. A masked man, who appeared unable to stand, was executed.
Contact was first established a week ago with a group of 11 miners trapped in a section of the mine about 580 meters (1,900 feet) below the surface.
One of them was seriously injured in the initial explosion and was confirmed dead after sustaining head injuries and falling into a coma.
Rescue teams lowered food, medicine and other supplies through several “lifeline” wells drilled into the rock. Life detectors and nutrient solutions were lowered in other parts of the mine to find the other missing miners.
The rescued miner was found in a section closer to the surface than the section where the first group is, CCTV reported.
It is believed that a 12th miner is trapped alone, 100 meters lower in the rising waters.
For the nine other miners, hopes are dwindling because they have not been heard since the explosion.
Rescuers said Friday that the release of the miners could take at least two more weeks, citing a massive blockade that has delayed drilling efforts, state media said.
Rescuers try to widen one of the wells to eventually allow workers to come to the surface.
Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced.
In December, 23 workers died after being trapped underground in southwestern Chongqing city.
[ad_2]
