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Tunnel collapse traps eight, earthquake connection uncertain

By in News on

A tunnel at a hydropower station in southwestern Yunnan's Dehong prefecture collapsed on Saturday, trapping eight workers inside, according to a Xinhua report.

A spokesman for the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture said a water diversion tunnel at the Dayingjiang hydropower station collapsed at 5:20 am on Saturday.

The workers are reportedly trapped about 500 meters from the point at which the tunnel collapsed. Rescue workers can reportedly hear voices from within the tunnel, raising hopes of saving the eight trapped workers.

It has not yet been determined if Monday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan province, or its aftershocks were responsible for the tunnel's collapse. The local government is currently investigating the cause of the accident.

In addition to the countless buildings the Wenchuan quake destroyed or damaged, several dams sustained structural damage and are being closely monitored by the government.

Related article: Earthquake highlights risks of damming Southwest China

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