China launches all-out efforts to save 77 miners

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji on Monday ordered an all-out effort to save the 77 miners who were still trapped in a coal mine in east China's Xuzhou city after an explosion ripped through the pit, an official report said on Monday.

Vice-premiers Li Lanqing and Wu Bangguo also expressed concern over the tragedy with Wu demanding that experts be rushed to the site to supervise rescue work, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
"The leaders reiterated that unlicensed coal mines are like time bombs and must be resolutely shut down to safeguard the security of people's lives," the report said. A delegation headed by the chief of the state administration of work safety, Zhang Baoming has arrived at the site.

"In the latest development, the rescuers have found the bodies of 16 victims, while 77 miners are still trapped in the coal mine. The 13 miners rescued on Monday are in sound condition while the efforts to dig out those still trapped are in full swing," Xinhua said.

Bureau Report