Rescuers in China are trying to reach 17 miners trapped inside a collapsed mine in east China's Shandong Province.
The mine collapsed last week while 29 people were working underground.
As operations to rescue those still trapped remain underway, it has been announced the owner of the mine has drowned himself.
Abbie O'Brien reports.
Over 700 rescuers have been battling to save the miners trapped underground for days now.
Since the gypsum mine collapsed on Friday, rescuers have pulled 11 workers to safety and recovered one body.
But now they face the difficult task of saving those still trapped.
The miners have been located at two sections -- three are trapped in a quarry work area, and the other 14 are close to a life hole bored through on Sunday morning.
Professional rescue teams and high-speed drills have been deployed to the site.
Using heavy machinery to dig along existing shafts, rescuers have begun drilling a second hole to try to get to one of the places where the workers are trapped.
The deputy director of the National Administration of Work Safety, Gao Guangwei, says rescuers have tried to send food, water and communications equipment to those trapped.
(Translated) "We have set up an underground rescue centre. So far, our rescue command centre can communicate with the underground rescue centre and rescuers working around the mines on the ground. We have set up a long channel to send rescue materials from the ground centre to the underground centre."
But structural instability and falling rocks are hindering rescue efforts.
Rescuers had to clear rocks before they worked to strengthen the tunnel and prevent further cave-ins.
As the operation continues, it has been announced the owner of the mine has drowned himself.
Rescue headquarters says Ma Congbo, president of Yurong Commerce and Trade Limited Company, was helping with rescue efforts when he jumped into a mine well and drowned.
Linyi City mayor Zhang Shuping, the general commander of rescue operations, made the announcement.
(Translated)"Gypsum mine owner Ma Congbo drowned himself at 2:30 this morning. According to the police, he jumped into the water when working together with the rescue team around 2:30am. It was unexpected, and we feel sad about it. We will also strengthen our control over relevant personnel and try to alleviate their pains."
China has a long history of industrial accidents.
The mine collapse came just days after a landslide from a man-made pile up of construction waste that has left around 70 people missing in the southern city of Shenzhen.
The cause of the mine collapse is unknown, but an investigation into what happened is expected to get underway soon.
