ANKARA 

At least three people have died in a coal mine tunnel collapse in Zhenping County of northwest China’s Shaanxi province, state-run media reported on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Thursday near Ankang City where eight workers were carrying out rectification work at the time, according to Xinhua News.

Five of them managed to escape safely, while three were trapped under the rubble and their bodies were recovered early Saturday.

The mine, in operation since 1998, has been under rectification for safety concerns since March 2024. Initial assessments suggest the collapse involved around 500 cubic meters of debris.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid.