Nine more Chinese miners trapped underground for over two weeks have been confirmed dead, local government officials said Monday, leaving one unaccounted for after a blast at the site.

A group of 22 were trapped hundreds of metres underground by an explosion at the Hushan mine in eastern Shandong province on January 10, with some relying on food and medicine delivered through long shafts drilled by rescue teams.

Eleven survivors were finally brought to the surface on Sunday in a major breakthrough for a rescue operation that has captivated the nation.&nbsp;

"From Sunday afternoon to this afternoon, rescue workers have not stopped searching, and found a further nine trapped miners who unfortunately all died," the mayor of Yantai city, Chen Fei, said at a briefing Monday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/chinese-authorities-rescue-11-out-of-22-miners-trapped-underground-in-qixia-358910" hreflang="en">Chinese authorities rescue 11 out of 22 miners trapped underground in Qixia</a>

"Along with one miner who died on Thursday, the bodies of the nine deceased miners were all lifted out of the mine."

Rescue teams will not stop searching until the last remaining miner is found, Chen said, adding that high underground water levels in a section of the mine had complicated rescue operations.

The initial explosion occurred in the mine's ventilator shaft, causing a blockage that damaged the cable car.

Chen said that all nine miners had been killed by the impact of a secondary explosion in the mine on January 10 as they were trying to escape, judging from their&nbsp;positions.

Rescue operations sped up dramatically on Sunday as a blockage in the ventilator shaft was cleared.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/rescuers-say-at-least-two-more-weeks-to-free-chinese-miners-358518" hreflang="en">Rescuers say at least two more weeks to free Chinese miners</a>

Contact was first established a week ago with a group of 11 miners trapped in a section of the mine around 580 metres (1,900 feet) below the surface.

One of them was seriously injured in the initial explosion and died after falling into a coma.

Another miner was found alive by rescuers as they attempted to reach the group.

Mining accidents are common in China's dangerous and poorly regulated sector.

Nine more Chinese miners trapped underground for over two weeks have been confirmed dead, local government officials said Monday, leaving one unaccounted for after a blast at the site.

Nine more Chinese miners trapped underground for over two weeks have been confirmed dead, local government officials said Monday, leaving one unaccounted for after a blast at the site. A group of 22 were trapped hundreds of metres underground by an explosion at the Hushan mine in eastern Shandong province on January 10, with some relying on food and medicine delivered through long shafts drilled by rescue teams. Eleven survivors were finally brought to the surface on Sunday in a major breakthrough for a rescue operation that has captivated the nation. "From Sunday afternoon to this afternoon, rescue workers have not stopped searching, and found a further nine trapped miners who unfortunately all died," the mayor of Yantai city, Chen Fei, said at a briefing Monday. Also read: Chinese authorities rescue 11 out of 22 miners trapped underground in Qixia "Along with one miner who died on Thursday, the bodies of the nine deceased miners were all lifted out of the mine." Rescue teams will not stop searching until the last remaining miner is found, Chen said, adding that high underground water levels in a section of the mine had complicated rescue operations. The initial explosion occurred in the mine's ventilator shaft, causing a blockage that damaged the cable car. Chen said that all nine miners had been killed by the impact of a secondary explosion in the mine on January 10 as they were trying to escape, judging from their positions. Rescue operations sped up dramatically on Sunday as a blockage in the ventilator shaft was cleared. Also read: Rescuers say at least two more weeks to free Chinese miners Contact was first established a week ago with a group of 11 miners trapped in a section of the mine around 580 metres (1,900 feet) below the surface. One of them was seriously injured in the initial explosion and died after falling into a coma. Another miner was found alive by rescuers as they attempted to reach the group. Mining accidents are common in China's dangerous and poorly regulated sector.

Nine trapped Chinese miners confirmed dead

Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion.

The increasingly desperate attempt to save 21 workers has been further complicated by a massive blockage that has delayed drilling efforts, according to state media.&nbsp;

"The obstacles are just too huge, which means we need a least another 15 days or even more to reach the miners," said Gong Haitao, deputy head of the local publicity department, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The debris standing in the way weighs about 70 tons, Gong said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-rescuers-prepare-escape-route-for-trapped-gold-miners-one-confirmed-dead-358263">China rescuers prepare escape route for trapped gold miners, one confirmed dead</a>

The blast at the Hushan mine in Shandong province sealed 22 workers hundreds of metres underground on January 10.

On Sunday, contact was made with 11 miners stuck at one location around 580 metres (1,900 feet) below the surface, and much-needed food and medical supplies were lowered down to them.

One of the group of eleven was seriously injured in the initial explosion and has been confirmed dead after suffering head injuries and falling into a coma.

A twelfth miner is believed to be trapped on his own, 100 metres further down in rising waters.

For the other 10 miners, hopes are dwindling as they have not been heard from since the explosion.

To extract the group, rescuers are trying to widen one of the shafts to eventually allow the workers to be brought up to the surface.

But progress has been slow because they are drilling through granite, according to officials.

State TV footage Friday showed large piles of unearthed debris at the rescue site, and a drill boring down through a deep shaft.

Official news agency Xinhua reported that the miners have been trying to help search for the missing group using laser pointers and loudspeakers, but have received no reply.

Rescuers have lowered life detectors and nutrient solutions into other sections of the mine as well, without response.

Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced.

In December, 23 workers died after becoming stuck underground in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion.

Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion. The increasingly desperate attempt to save 21 workers has been further complicated by a massive blockage that has delayed drilling efforts, according to state media. "The obstacles are just too huge, which means we need a least another 15 days or even more to reach the miners," said Gong Haitao, deputy head of the local publicity department, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The debris standing in the way weighs about 70 tons, Gong said. Also read| China rescuers prepare escape route for trapped gold miners, one confirmed dead The blast at the Hushan mine in Shandong province sealed 22 workers hundreds of metres underground on January 10. On Sunday, contact was made with 11 miners stuck at one location around 580 metres (1,900 feet) below the surface, and much-needed food and medical supplies were lowered down to them. One of the group of eleven was seriously injured in the initial explosion and has been confirmed dead after suffering head injuries and falling into a coma. A twelfth miner is believed to be trapped on his own, 100 metres further down in rising waters. For the other 10 miners, hopes are dwindling as they have not been heard from since the explosion. To extract the group, rescuers are trying to widen one of the shafts to eventually allow the workers to be brought up to the surface. But progress has been slow because they are drilling through granite, according to officials. State TV footage Friday showed large piles of unearthed debris at the rescue site, and a drill boring down through a deep shaft. Official news agency Xinhua reported that the miners have been trying to help search for the missing group using laser pointers and loudspeakers, but have received no reply. Rescuers have lowered life detectors and nutrient solutions into other sections of the mine as well, without response. Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced. In December, 23 workers died after becoming stuck underground in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

Rescuers say at least two more weeks to free Chinese miners

For 8 days, 22 Chinese miners have been stuck inside a gold mine. 10 of them have reportedly died, the remaining 12 are in critical condition & have sent a 'hand-written note' describing their situation. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Chinese miners trapped for 8 days