2010-04-02 18:45

XIANGNING, Shanxi - Sound was heard underground a flooded coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province where 153 miners have been trapped for five days, a rescue official said Friday afternoon.

Pan Zengwu, deputy chief of the provincial coal geological bureau, said rescuers heard trapped miners knocking on pipes at 2:15 p.m., a sign of life underground.

Rescuers have been drilling holes to pump more water and send down food.

An iron wire was found attached at the end of a drill pipe when it was lifted to surface at 3 p.m.

Pan said this was apparently tied by the trapped miners.