17 trapped in coal mine in China

At least 17 people have been trapped in a coal mine in northeast China when a cage suspending them went for a free fall after its cable snapped.
The miners were in the cage, which suddenly fell down during an operation after its electric cable caught fire and snapped, at Dongrong Second Mine in Heilongjiang province, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
The mishap at the mine owned by Longmay Mining Holding Group happened yesterday.
A total of 256 miners escaped, according to a local authority.
"I was working underground when the accident happened. I smelt choking smoke in the shaft," said a miner surnamed Zhang, who was lifted out of the mine with others yesterday evening.

Rescue work is underway.