2 miners rescued, 9 still trapped in SW China colliery

Rescuers pulled out two miners early Tuesday morning but nine others are still trapped underground nearly 40 hours after a gas burst at a colliery in southwest China. The two miners were rescued from the Yongsheng coal mine in Wanyuan City of Sichuan Province, China's news agency (Xinhua) reported. Both miners were conscious and able to talk when they were lifted out, though they showed symptoms of some carbon monoxide poisoning, said Zhu Zongwen, director of the health bureau of Wanyan City. They received emergency treatment and were then sent to the Central Hospital of Wanyuan. Both are in stable condition, said Ding Xiaolin, head of the hospital. The rescue of the other trapped miners continues. A total of 24 people were working underground when the accident happened. Thirteen miners were lifted out shortly after the accident, and five of them were injured, including two poisoned by gas. The owners of the mine are in the custody of police. The Wanyuan government has ordered an overhaul of the city's coal mines and all production has been suspended for safety check-out.