Chinese Miners Trapped Underground Send Hand-Written Note To Rescuers

Chinese gold miners who were trapped 2,000 feet underground for a week sent a hand-written note to rescuers to say they are still alive.

At least 12 men are still alive, with a note written by a worker pinpointing their exact position and asking for urgent medical assistance, state media reports.

The mines entrance became blocked, trapping a total of 22 workers underground in Shandong Province in eastern China on 10 January.

Although no signs of life were seen for days, a knocking sound was heard on Sunday afternoon as rescuers drilled through the mine, which is near the city of Qixia.

Chinese broadcaster CCTV reported that oxygen and supplies like pencils and paper were sent down into the mine.

Around half an hour later, they noticed that a steel line which had been sent underground was moving and being pulled at.

Rescuers received the note an hour later, informing them that at least 12 of the men were still alive and needed help.

The note said that some of the workers' were becoming sick and the conditions underground were getting worse.

The note read: "We are in urgent need of medicine, painkillers, medical tape, external anti-inflammatory drugs, and three people have high blood pressure."

It added that four people were injured. The note itself was crumpled and scrawled in pencil.

The note ended: "We wish the rescuers won't stop so that we can still have hope. Thank you."

The writer asked if rescuers could send medication from his car, saying that underneath the ground where the miners are trapped there are large amounts of water.

The ordeal has captured the attention of the public in China, who have taken to social media site Weibo to express their sympathies with the trapped workers.

One wrote: "I saw the note while I was watching the morning news and burst into tears. I hope they will rescue the trapped workers as soon as possible."

Rescuers are attempting to drill holes into the mine to create air vents, as well as give supplies to them, while they work on bringing them out of the mine safely.

The mine is owned by Shandong Wucailong Investment Co. Ltd. The explosion damaged the communications system and exit ladder.

Two officials in Qixia - the mayor and Communist Party Secretary - have both been sacked because of the accident.