Due to tunnel conditions, fewer than 10 rescue personnel... Communication with trapped individuals is weak
Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Province, urges "swift rescue of workers and prevention of secondary accidents"
Governor Jin-tae Kim of Gangwon Province is listening to the rescue situation at the Taebaek Jangseong Mine burial accident site on the afternoon of the 14th. [Gangwon Province]
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] On the morning of the 14th, search and rescue operations to find an employee buried during coal mining at the Jangseong Mine in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, continued for the second day, but difficulties are being faced due to the conditions at the site.
According to the fire authorities and Jangseong Mine on the 15th, around 9:45 a.m. on the 14th, at the underground tunnel 675m deep (600m above sea level, 75m below sea level) of the Korea Coal Corporation's Jangseong Mine located in Taebaek City, water and coal poured in during coal mining, burying Mr. A (46).
Workers inspecting the tunnel confirmed a large amount of water coming from the tunnel face, and Mr. A, who received this information, was reportedly caught in the accident while trying to stop the coal extraction work in the tunnel.
At the time of the accident, five of the six workers evacuated on their own, but Mr. A was unable to escape in time.
The fire authorities, police, and mine rescue team are conducting rescue operations, but due to the tunnel conditions, the rescue personnel are fewer than 10, and communication with the buried person is also difficult, causing challenges.
The mine control room reports that Mr. A had a usable radio inside the tunnel when buried and is calling him frequently during the rescue operation. However, there has been no response from Mr. A so far.
Meanwhile, Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Province, visited the Jangseong Mine site where the burial accident occurred on the afternoon of the 14th to encourage the rescue workers and officials and urged them to ensure swift rescue operations and the safety of the personnel.
After hearing from Kim Jae-seok, Chief of Taebaek Fire Station, and officials from Jangseong Mine about the internal tunnel situation and rescue progress, Governor Kim ordered that utmost efforts be made for the rapid rescue of the accident victim whose life status is unknown and to prevent secondary injuries to the fire personnel above all else.
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