Seven Die in Chongqing Illegal Mining Case
AM730 · 4 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police in Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County in Chongqing uncovered an illegal mining case after receiving a public report on October 3 that people had gone missing in a sealed abandoned mine near the county border with Xiushan. During the search, officers found seven bodies inside the mine and arrested 21 people linked to the operation. Preliminary findings said the victims were mining illegally when heavy rain caused sudden flooding in the tunnel, leading to drowning. The case remains under investigation, and police said those responsible will be pursued according to law.
Key Points
- The Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County Public Security Bureau said it received the missing-person report on October 3.
- The site was a sealed, abandoned mine located near the border between Youyang County and Xiushan County in Chongqing.
- Police said they uncovered the illegal mining operation while searching the mine for the reported missing persons.
- Authorities arrested 21 people allegedly involved in the illegal mining case at or after the search operation.
- Seven dead were found inside the abandoned mine, with preliminary findings pointing to rain-triggered flooding and drowning.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is a stark reminder of the lethal risks tied to illegal extraction in disused industrial sites, especially during periods of heavy rain. It also shows how quickly weather can turn abandoned underground spaces into death traps, complicating rescue and criminal investigations once people are reported missing.