China’s coal mine collapsed on Wednesday afternoon leaving at least two have died, and more than 50 trapped in Inner Mongolia.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the collapse occurred in Alxa League in the western part of the region at around 1 pm (0500 GMT).

State broadcaster CCTV reported that a collapse had occurred over a wide area of a shaft operated by the Xinjing Coal Mining Company.

Rescuers brought out three people, two of whom showed no signs of life.

The Inner Mongolian branch of the National Mine Safety Administration has initiated a first-level accident rescue initiative.

Eight rescue teams of 334 people, 129 vehicles for rescue, and nine safety production experts have arrived at the scene, the report said. “A number of working staff and vehicles have been buried,” the broadcaster said at the time, adding that rescue personnel has been dispatched to the scene.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed authorities to do everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people.

Chinese President further said, “Officials must use all their strength to rescue and treat the injured, protect the security of people’s lives and property as well as overall social stability”.

Inner Mongolia is a key region for mining coal and other minerals in China, which critics say has ravaged the original landscape of mountains, grassy steppe, and deserts.

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