BEIJING
Rescue operations at a flooded Chinese coal mine have ended with 21 miners confirmed dead as of Thursday morning in northern Shanxi province.
The Jiangjiawan Mine -- owned by Datong Coal Mine Group -- flooded Sunday night when around 247 people were working inside. A total of 223 miners made it out safely while a search was launched for the 24 trapped inside.
The bodies of 20 victims have been recovered since while four other miners were rescued, but one died in hospital, state news agency Xinhua reported Thursday, citing the work safety regulator.
The other three rescued miners are undergoing treatment in hospital.
Xinhua reported that around 6,100 cubic meters of water has been pumped out of the mine as of Tuesday afternoon.
An initial investigation has suggested the flooding occurred when water accumulated in a previously mined-out area.
All small mines under the Datong Coal Mine Group have been ordered to halt operation for safety checks.
