The fate of at least nine miners working in a gypsum shaft in Shaodong county Hunan province remained uncertain as of August 21, 2001. Water began leaking into the shaft in the early hours of August 20. Rescuers have been sent in and the local police are still searching for the six shareholders who owned the mine. According to local people, the mine had been ordered to close by the authorities.

(HK: Mingpao 21/08/01)