127: Chapter 127 Miracle of Life, Not One Missing

In the end, it was Secretary Guo Shunmin who spoke up to break the oppressive silence.

"How much time has passed since we started pumping the water?"

Qin Chuan replied, "It has been over 8 hours, and we have pumped out a total of more than ten thousand cubic meters of water."

Secretary Guo Shunmin nodded slowly, "It seems we need to increase the effort. We've been pumping for 8 hours, but the water level hasn't dropped significantly. The situation is not optimistic."

Indeed!

The situation was worse than imagined.

An expert nearby analyzed, "It is estimated that it is connected to a large underground water body; it will be very difficult to drain the water completely."

Qin Chuan suggested, "The current pump power is still insufficient. I have seen in the news that San-Er Heavy Industry has successfully developed an ultra-high-power water pump called the 'Dragon Water-Suction.' One unit can replace ten of ours. I suggest we bring in two or three of these pumps."

Secretary Guo Shunmin's eyes lit up slightly, "Really? There is such a pump? Then I will report to Vice Governor Zhu immediately."

After checking the water level, which had not dropped significantly, Secretary Guo Shunmin reported to Vice Governor Zhu Shihua and specifically mentioned the 'Dragon Water-Suction' large-scale water pump that Qin Chuan had suggested.

Vice Governor Zhu Shihua made a personal phone call. Although San-Er Heavy Industry is located in Jiangnan Province and is at least seven or eight hundred kilometers away, if they take the expressway the whole way, it can arrive by tomorrow morning, or by tomorrow forenoon at the latest.

That night, everyone stayed at Jiangjiachong Coal Mine, including Vice Governor Zhu Shihua.

It was almost a sleepless night.

Outside, the mining disaster at Jiangjiachong Coal Mine had almost become breaking news. On the internet, there were numerous reports, and many people were concerned about the safety of these 24 miners.

Various TV stations, including those from other provinces, reported on this mining disaster in their news segments.

Early the next morning.

A total of three "Dragon Water-Suction" pumps transported from San-Er Heavy Industry arrived, and were immediately installed and put into use.

Not long after, water splashed out from the mine shaft, gathering into a rushing stream. Seeing this efficiency, everyone was much happier.

Finally, the water level inside the mine shaft began to drop slowly. By the afternoon, the water level had dropped by several meters.

But compared to the mine shaft which was at least two or three hundred meters deep, this speed was still a bit slow.

"The good news is that the water level has finally started to drop, but at this rate, to drain the water completely, a conservative estimate is that it will take ten days to half a month."

"Yes, the speed is a bit slower than we hoped, but three 'Dragon Water-Suction' units are already the maximum number; we can't fit even one more."

Qin Chuan didn't speak, nor did he express any sentiment. Instead, he looked at the schematic diagram of the mine on the blackboard, studied it for a while, pondered, and called over the old miner known as the "Living Map."

"Master Zhang, are there any other places, such as abandoned mine shafts, that connect to this one?"

The old miner thought for a moment and said, "Yes, there is one place. It is a mine shaft that was abandoned more than a decade ago, and it is connected to the main mine shaft."

Great!

Everyone understood what Qin Chuan meant.

Since it was connected, they could also pump water from there, which would greatly increase efficiency. Perhaps what would have originally taken ten days to half a month to drain might only take a week.

They quickly found the abandoned mine shaft, and it was indeed filled with water, proving that it was connected, as traces of the water level having dropped by several meters could be seen.

One by one, the water pumps were installed, and they began pumping water from this abandoned mine shaft as well.

There had always been many people at Jiangjiachong Coal Mine. Besides government officials, the most numerous were media reporters. On the third day after the incident, the interview vehicle and reporters from CCTV arrived.

"Dear viewers, I am reporter Li Lu. The major water inrush accident at Jiangjiachong Coal Mine that everyone is concerned about has had a major breakthrough. It is expected that this afternoon, the drill will penetrate the rock layer, and we will be able to make contact with the trapped miners inside the Refuge Chamber."

"We are now going to interview the general commander of this mining disaster, Secretary Qin Chuan..."

This was a live broadcast. Because the matter was truly a bit significant, CCTV specially opened a dedicated channel to broadcast the rescue of this mining disaster.

Viewers in front of their televisions were surprised to find that this general commander was too young.

But they soon changed their minds because Qin Chuan was clear-headed, answered every question very appropriately, and appeared very composed overall.

Why was Qin Chuan the general commander, and not Secretary Guo Shunmin or County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong?

Besides his outstanding performance in this mining disaster rescue, there was another important reason: this general commander was personally appointed by Vice Governor Zhu Shihua.

Since Vice Governor Zhu personally appointed him, who would dare to have any objections?

The one who was most envious was County Magistrate Zhou Tiansheng.

He knew deeply that if the rescue was successful, it would be a huge contribution and a significant highlight in his official career. If he had been the general commander, how good that would have been.

Unfortunately, he only dared to think about it in his heart; he did not dare to show any objections in front of Vice Governor Zhu. Besides, Secretary Guo Shunmin also strongly agreed with Qin Chuan serving as the general commander for this rescue.

At around three o'clock in the afternoon, more than 53 hours after the water inrush accident occurred, the drill finally penetrated the rock layer, and they finally made contact with the trapped miners.

Qin Chuan personally spoke with the trapped miners.

"Hello, I am Qin Chuan, the general commander for this mining disaster rescue. I currently need to confirm the number of people. How many of you are there in total?"

Liu Yubao answered personally, "Reporting to the General Commander, there are 24 of us in total, all safe, and no one is injured. We need water and food now."

"Good, we will send water and food down immediately."

Very quickly, the food and water needed by the trapped miners were sent down one by one through this borehole, which was less than twenty centimeters in diameter.

The news spread quickly.

The entire Jiangjiachong Coal Mine was shaken by this.

Some of the trapped miners' family members hugged each other and wept. Their hanging hearts finally settled; the 24 miners were all there, not one missing.

If they were all successfully rescued, this would be a miracle of life.

The beautiful CCTV reporter Li Lu, holding the microphone and facing the camera with slightly moist eyes, said, "Dear viewers, major good news! Just a moment ago, the rock layer was finally penetrated, and we have made contact with the trapped miners. After confirmation, all 24 miners are accounted for, not one missing!"

Almost people across the country were paying attention to this mining disaster. Hearing such news, many people who had been sweating nervously finally felt relieved.

"Great, not one missing!"

"Thank you, Secretary Qin Chuan. It is precisely because of his outstanding command that there is such a miracle!"

"In just over two days, about 53 hours, the rock layer was penetrated. Secretary Qin Chuan is amazing!"

"Food and water have been sent down, and fresh air has also been pumped in. Next, we just need to drain the water."

"..."

A few days later, the water inside the mine shaft was basically drained.

The rescue team, consisting of twenty or thirty people, was wearing professional rescue equipment, ready for action, and waiting for Qin Chuan's command.

Not far away, a dozen ambulances and a large number of medical staff were prepared.

Qin Chuan gave the order, "Rescue team, take heed! Begin entering the mine shaft. You must bring all 24 of our miner brothers out, not one missing!"

The professional rescue team of twenty or thirty people began to enter the mine shaft!!!