Scores trapped in China coal mine

[The Sushi Bandit]

Source: BBC

Chinese emergency teams are searching for 172 miners trapped in a flooded coal mine, state media has reported.
Officials told Xinhua news agency the workers have only a slim chance of survival in the mine, in Xintai city 450km (280 miles) south of Beijing.

The agency reported that hundreds of troops and police were at the scene helping rescue teams.

China's coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world, with more than 5,000 deaths reported annually.

Hopes were also fading for the survival of nine other miners, trapped in another mine nearby.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6952519.stm

[iamjoy]

1. Puts Sago and Utah in Perspective

doesn't it?

It also reminds us that as crappy as our mine safety enforcement has become, it could be a lot worse and probably would if the Republicans had their way.

[rfranklin]

2. Yes, the PRC has unfettered capitalism as I often tell people...

who bitch about "gubmint" regulations. Things can get a lot worse if Republicans get their way.

[ohio2007]

3. more than 5,000 deaths reported annually ( in China ) so whats the big deal ?

other then the PRC is having trouble "controlling the media" wiith the technology they so demand to have.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070817055756.o9r34yv2&show_article=1

[NastyDiaper]

4. First world workers should have to compete against

China's dismal labor and environmental standards.

Cap and Trade, Vote Union

[NastyDiaper]

5. *not have to compete.

title typo editing period expired.

[demoleft]

6. "Hopes fading for Chinese miners" - BBC, 19 August 2007

"Rescuers are still working to reach 181 miners trapped since Friday down two flooded coal mines in China's Shandong Province but hopes are fading fast.
Torrential rain had caused a river to burst its banks, sending flood water cascading down an old shaft into the mine where the men were working.
Rescuers are desperately trying to pump the water out but the chances of finding anyone alive appear slim.
Chief rescuer Zhu Wenyu said he thought the miners had no hope of survival."

BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6952519.stm

[LeftishBrit]

7. Horrible...

This is truly tragic.

[demoleft]

8. It is. And they will be forgotten as soon as possible. n/t

[Eugene]

9. Scuffles with police as hopes fade for Chinese miners

Source: Agence France-Presse

Scuffles with police as hopes fade for Chinese miners

by Peter Harmsen
17 minutes ago

XINTAI, China (AFP) - Scuffles broke out between
relatives and security forces at a coal mine in eastern
China Sunday as hopes faded for the rescue of 172
miners trapped underground by flash floods.

Flood waters engulfed the mine in the city of Xintai in
Shandong Province on Friday in the latest tragedy to
strike China's mining industry, which has one of the
poorest safety records in the world.

A crowd of 200 people, angry at the lack of information,
toppled an iron fence at the south gate of the mine early
Sunday as rumours swirled that rescue efforts had been
called off.

Frustration boiled over and relatives repeatedly broke
into the compound of the Zhangzhuang mine where
clashes ensued with security personnel.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070819/wl_afp/chinaminingaccident_070819101628