Shanxi blast miners mourn their dead colleagues

已複製連結

Some colleagues of those died from the coal mine blast at the Liushenyu in Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province, say their hearts are "heavy" and are in doubt whether to continue the dangerous job. 

Miner Wang Linjun said he was resting at home in Shangzhuang Friday night at the time of the gas explosion, which claimed at least 82 lives to date. 

A total of 247 workers were underground then and over 120 people were hospitalised. Two remain unaccounted for. Authorities are still investigating the operator's safety lapses.  

"My heart is very heavy. Thinking that those who eat together and work together are suddenly gone, no one would feel good," Wang told an AP reporter, further noting he doesn't know where to go if he quits the job. 

Another miner named Feng Renfu, who also works at Liushenyu, called the incident "horrible" as he's the breadwinner of the family of eight. 

Mining trucks pass through the single main street of the village of Shangzhuang, which lies a few hundred metres from the site of the blast. According to local residents, most mines in the area are shut down in the aftermath and some miners are staying back to get paid.