Seven killed in flooding at abandoned mine in China's Chongqing
In short
Seven people died in a flooded abandoned mine in China's Chongqing municipality, where police say illegal mining was under way, according to Chinese media reports cited by Russian outlets. Police launched a search after a report of missing people on 3 October and found the bodies in the closed mine on the border of Youyang and Xiushan counties. A preliminary account attributes the flooding to heavy rain; police detained more than 20 people over the illegal extraction.
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Seven people died in an abandoned mine in China where, according to police, illegal mineral extraction was taking place, Vedomosti and Kommersant reported, citing Chinese media. TASS also reported the deaths, placing the incident in the area of the city of Chongqing in southwest China. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
A report about missing people at the closed abandoned mine was received on 3 October, Vedomosti wrote, citing The Paper and the public security bureau of the Youyang-Tujia-Miao autonomous county. Kommersant, citing China Daily and local police, said the search operation was launched on Saturday. The mine lies on the border of the Youyang and Xiushan counties, in the Wuling mountain area, and the bodies of the seven dead were found there during the search, the two outlets reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
During the search, law enforcement officers established that illegal extraction of minerals was under way at the site, according to Vedomosti. The same report says police detained 21 people connected to the illegal extraction, while Kommersant says more than 20 suspects were detained. [ 2 , 3 ]
On the cause, Vedomosti reported, citing police, that according to a preliminary version the workings were suddenly flooded because of rain during the illegal works and the people drowned. Kommersant also described the deaths as occurring when the mine was flooded by rainwater. Neither outlet reported a final finding on the cause. [ 2 , 3 ]
TASS gave no location beyond the Chongqing area and no information on the cause or on detentions, in a two-line item. The Russian reports rest on Chinese accounts: Vedomosti attributed its information to The Paper and the county public security bureau, and Kommersant to China Daily and local police. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The deaths put a spotlight on illegal extraction at closed mines, which Chinese local police are now investigating with a large number of detentions. The case is being reported through official Chinese media and police statements, carried in Russia by state and business outlets, so the main consequences described in the documents are the police operation and the criminal case rather than any announced change in mining oversight.
Key facts
- Seven people died in an abandoned mine in China, according to TASS, Vedomosti and Kommersant. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The mine is located in Chongqing municipality, at the border of Youyang and Xiushan counties, in the Wuling mountain area. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Police established that illegal mineral extraction was taking place at the closed mine. [ 2 , 3 ]
- A report about missing people at the mine was received on 3 October, after which a search operation was launched. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to a preliminary version, rain caused a sudden flooding of the workings and the people drowned. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reported that police detained 21 people connected to the illegal extraction; Kommersant reported more than 20 suspects were detained. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Seven people died at an abandoned mine in China. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The incident occurred in Chongqing municipality, in the area of the border between Youyang and Xiushan counties. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The mine was closed and abandoned, and illegal mineral extraction was taking place there. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The bodies were found during a search operation that followed reports of missing people. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Police detained people suspected of involvement in the illegal extraction. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact cause of the flooding Vedomosti presents sudden flooding caused by rain as a preliminary version, not a confirmed finding.
- How many people were detained Vedomosti says 21, while Kommersant says more than 20, so the exact figure is not established.
- Whether a criminal case or charges have been announced The documents mention detentions but give no information on charges or the course of the investigation.
- The identities of the dead and whether they were the miners themselves The documents say only that the seven were at the mine during illegal works.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- A report about missing people at the closed abandoned mine on the border of Youyang and Xiushan counties is received, and a search operation is launched. [ 2 , 3 ]
- During the search, police establish that illegal mineral extraction was taking place at the mine and find the bodies of seven dead. [ 2 , 3 ]
- TASS reports that seven people died in illegal works at an abandoned mine in China, in the area of Chongqing. [ 1 ]
- Vedomosti reports the deaths, citing The Paper and the public security bureau of the Youyang-Tujia-Miao autonomous county, and reports the detention of 21 people. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reports the deaths, citing China Daily and local police, and reports the detention of more than 20 suspects. [ 3 ]