The helicopter is preparing to land in Minfeng County. Photo provided by the Propaganda Department of the Hotan Prefectural Committee.
China News Service, Hotan, Nov. 14 (Zhu Jingchao & Wang Dali) According to information from the Propaganda Department of the Hotan Prefectural Committee in Xinjiang, at 19:43 Beijing time on the 14th, the six miners who had been trapped in the Kunlun Mountains for six days were all successfully rescued. They returned safely to Minfeng County by helicopter and are currently undergoing medical checkups at the hospital, with stable vital signs.
The six trapped miners encountered a snow-blocked road while working at an altitude of 5,500 meters in the Kunlun Mountains on the 8th, and were also stranded due to a vehicle malfunction.
It is understood that after receiving news of the miners being trapped, both the Hotan Prefecture and Minfeng County organized two batches of rescue teams to the incident site. The Party Committee and government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region initiated an emergency response, requested the Xinjiang Military Region to deploy helicopters for the rescue operation, and urged the Hotan Prefecture to spare no effort in carrying out the rescue work.
From the 12th to the 13th, Hotan experienced continuous sandstorm weather, making it impossible for aircraft to take off. It was not until the 14th, when the weather cleared, that the helicopter was able to carry out the successful rescue.
Yi Li Simayi, director of the Xinjiang Emergency Management Office, told reporters that from the 12th to the 13th, he spoke with the trapped individuals multiple times, with the last communication occurring around 14:40 Beijing time on the 13th. During the call, Tang Suzhong, one of the trapped miners, said that the six individuals were completely exhausted, severely oxygen-deprived, and physically drained, with three of them suffering from serious altitude sickness and mild unconsciousness—the situation was extremely critical. Upon learning that multi-party rescue efforts were underway, he expressed gratitude.
The Xinjiang Emergency Management Office reminds all citizens that winter cold has now set in across Xinjiang, and mountainous areas such as the Tianshan, Altai, Arjin, and Kunlun Mountains are experiencing harsh weather conditions. Activities such as mineral exploration and outdoor hiking are not suitable for this season, in order to avoid unnecessary casualties.