The bodies of the last two workers have been found after a mining shaft collapsed in the northern province of Hoa Binh, trapping three workers on November 18.

Searching for trapped workers

The coal mine, owned by the Tan Son Company in Doi Village, in Tan Lac District's Lo Son Commune, suddenly collapsed and rapidly flooded at 10am. Four of the seven workers who were working in the mine at the time managed to escape. Three others were trapped 400m from the tunnel mouth.

300 rescuers and police were sent to the scene however rough terrain hindered their efforts. Other workers also helped digging out earth in the rescue mission. The rescuers quickly found the body of one worker on the same day but faced trouble reaching the remaining two workers. The head of the rescue team admitted at that time that there was little chance of survival for the remaining workers.

Relatives waiting for survivors

Duong, the mine's supervisor, said they were working on the lower part of the mine. Above them were exhausted sections that may have become flooded after years of abandonment. He believed that the workers may have accidentally punctured a hole through into one of the flooded levels.

This is the second collapse at Doi Village. The previous collapse happened three years ago and trapped 7 workers. Luckily no one was hurt.