Last victim in coalmine accident in northern Vietnam still missing, two days on
The last victim in the coalmine accident that killed one worker and injured ten others in the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh on August 20 was still unaccounted for by the end of August 21, local authorities reported.
Twelve miners were working in the coal mine of Hon Gai Coal Company in the province’s Ha Long City at 1:30 am on August 20, when an underground water area there ruptured out of a sudden.
The incident, occurring at a depth of 165 meters above the sea level, killed one worker on the spot and injured ten others, all of whom have been hospitalized, Do Van Kien, deputy director of the company, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday.
The remaining one was still unaccounted for, despite search efforts by more than 1,200 people.
The injured miners are being treated at the Quang Ninh Province General Hospital, with many in serious condition with multiple injuries.
The deceased worker is Trieu Quang Viet, 27, of the northern province of Lang Son, and the missing is Phan Anh Van, also 27.
Rescue teams have taken turn to dig into the ruptured area to search for Van, who was reportedly swept away by currents from the broken underground water area.
The provincial Mine Emergency Center last evening sent two groups of 16 rescuers to the scene to join the rescue efforts.
The provincial authorities have given VND6 million (US$267) to Viet’s family and VND3 million (US$133.7) to each of the injured workers.
Deputy chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu and provincial Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Doc visited the injured victims at the said hospital on Friday.
Luu asked concerned agencies to clarify the cause of the accident and take measures to overcome its consequences.