At least 18 people have been trapped in a gold mine in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang, after a landslide occurred in the area, according to local media reports. Another 22 workers managed to escape.
The mine is located in Yining County and at the time of the incident there were at least 40 people working at the facility. 22 managed to get out by foot but another 18 are still trapped
On Sunday, rescuers were able to determine the location of the trapped workers and ensure ventilation.
However, sources from the mining company told the Xinhua news agency that "the complex underground situation" and "the instability of the terrain in the surrounding area" pose "great difficulties for the rescue."
The local authorities mobilized more than 300 members of the rescue forces and 80 vehicles.
Mines continue to register a high accident rate in China, although in recent years the number of fatal accidents has decreased significantly.
One of the latest accidents happened almost a year ago now, when 11 miners were trapped underground for 14 days also in a gold mine, but this time it was in the eastern province of Shandong.
