Quảng Ninh Province Police and Coal and Việt Nam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group (KTV) discusses plan of rescue. — VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG NINH — An incident caused by a methane gas fire occurred early Wednesday morning at Mining Workshop 2 of Thống Nhất Coal Company in the northern province of Quảng Ninh killing four workers and injuring seven others.

The mine has been dug to a depth of 240m of the design depth of 380m.

The four unfortunate workers are Trần Văn Bảo, 35, residing in Lục Hồn Commune, Bình Liêu District of Quảng Ninh Province, Nguyễn Thành Luân, 37, from Đoan Hùng District of Phú Thọ Province, Tạ Văn Nhâm, 34, from Phổ Yên District of Thái Nguyên Province, and Lê Văn Huyên, 33, from Hòa An District of Cao Bằng Province.

At present, the seven injured workers are being treated at Quảng Ninh Provincial General Hospital.

After receiving information about the incident, Secretary of the Quảng Ninh Provincial Party Committee Nguyễn Xuân Ký sent provincial leaders to the scene to direct the rescue.

The rescue work was immediately carried out and completed after three hours (around 3am).

The local authorities and Thống Nhất Coal Company are co-ordinating to support the victim's families and take care of the funerals.

Nghiêm Xuân Cường, Vice Chairman of the Quảng Ninh People's Committee, the same day came to the hospital to visit, encourage, and provide support to families of the injured and dead workers.

Quảng Ninh Province authorities, the State-owned Việt Nam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV-Vinacomin) (the parent company of Thống Nhất Coal Company) as well as the group's trade union, each offered VNĐ 20 million (US$800) for each of the deceased. Vinacomin also said it would cover all funeral costs.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính later has issued a cable asking all relevant agencies to quickly clarify the cause of the incident and settle the consequences.

He also conveyed profound condolences to the families of the victims.

More inspections are ordered to look into potential work safety issues in all economic and production activities in Quảng Ninh Province, the Government leader noted, whereas the Ministry of Industry and Trade must work with Vinacomin to review regulations concerning mining to guarantee safety for workers. — VNS