Beijing, April 17 (IANS): The toll in the flooded Xiahaizi coal mine in southwest China's Yunnan province rose to five with the retrieval of four more bodies Thursday. At least 17 more miners were still feared trapped in the mine which got flooded April 7, rescuers said.
Rescuers found four bodies in the pit of Xiahaizi coal mine in Qilin district in Qujing city around 1 p.m., raising the death toll to five, Xinhua reported citing the emergency response and rescue headquarters.
WHen the accident happened April 7, at least 26 miners were working underground. Four workers were rescued and one body recovered earlier.
Investigators believe the flooding was caused by an explosion releasing trapped subterranean water into the coal mine.
Search for the other 17 miners is under way.