Rescuers in China on Sunday lifted one of the 22 workers trapped for two weeks after an explosion in a northern gold mine to the surface, state media reported.
According to reports, the worker was in poor condition but no other details were given. State broadcaster CCTV showed that ambulances were parked next to engineering vehicles at the mine in Qixia, a jurisdiction under Yantai in Shandong province.
Rescuers are in contact with ten of the workers who were in the mine when an explosion occurred on January 10 while it was still under construction.
One more worker is reported to have died while the fate of 11 others is unknown. The shaft was reportedly blocked 350 meters (1000 feet) below the surface by 70 tons of debris. Rescuers have drilled additional shafts for communication, ventilation and evacuation of survivors.
Remaining workers have been given a nutritional solution, but rescuers can now regularly provide food and beverages along with clothing and other supplies, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
Authorities detained mine managers for delaying reporting the crash for more than 24 hours. The cause of the explosion was not disclosed.
Increased surveillance has improved safety in China’s mining industry, which averaged 5,000 deaths a year. However, the demand for coal and precious metals is still leading to the cutting and two accidents in Chongqing last year killed 39 miners.