Guan Guojun (Middle) patiently waits for his father,Guan Qingji, to be realeased from the intensive care unit. Guan Qingji is the third trapped miner lifted to the ground on Friday. Photo taken on Saturday by Ju Chuanjiang/chinadaily.com.cn
When Guan Qingji, a 58-year-old signal worker, was pulled out on Friday night by rescuers, Guan Guojun, Guan Qingji's son, could not help but jump off his seat in front of his television and shout.
Guan Qingji had been trapped more than 200 meters underground for 36 days in the collapsed gypsum mine in Pingyi county, Shandong province.
"I was so glad and I could not find any words to express my feelings," he said. "The past month has been a torture for us, and it is over."
Besides Guan Qingji, another three workers were also rescued alive on Friday night. The rescue operation was broadcast live on China Central Television, and more than 30 of Guan Guojun's relatives and neighbors in Baotai township, Pingyi county were sitting together at Guan's home watching TV at that moment, Guan said.
The collapse, which occurred at a gypsum mine in Baotai township on Dec 25, trapped 29 workers underground. By Friday night, 15 had been rescued, and one was confirmed dead. The other 13 are missing, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Authorities set up an investigation team on Friday to find the causes of the accident.
"Our government is so capable and can do such a good job," Qin Xiulan, a neighbor of Guan Guojun, said.
Guan said on Saturday morning that he had not been able to see his father, who is lying at an Intensive Care Unit ward at Pingyi People's Hospital.
"The officials told us he is in stable condition and is recovering," he said. "We are waiting until they notify us to see my father."
Guan said he would prefer not to celebrate his father's miraculous rescue.
"There are still some workers missing, and some of them live near our home in this same village," he said. "They must be sad now. We do not want to make a fuss of my father's rescue as they might be made sadder."
