A miner who survived 32 hours in a blocked mine shaft in central China said Friday that he believed four colleagues still trapped were alive.

Rescuers saved 34-year-old Li Lianghui from the Manaoshan Mine in Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, at about 8:30 PM Thursday.

About 80 rescuers are struggling to reopen the tunnel at the Manaoshan Mine in Chenzhou City, which was blocked by a mud-rock flow at noon on Wednesday, trapping five miners 10 meters underground.

Li said he believed his four colleagues were trying to signal rescuers.

"Before I was pulled out of the shaft, I heard someone knocking stones rhythmically underground. I think they were sending a signal for help," he said.

Li, who was being treated at the Chenzhou Municipal No. 1 People's Hospital, said he thought he was going to die in the shaft.

"I was very scared during the hours underground. which was a completely dark period. I thought I would never have a chance of seeing my relatives and friends again," he told Xinhua Friday.

"I was gradually overwhelmed by unbearable hunger and thirst," he said. "Finally, I suddenly heard sounds of digging. I knew that rescuers had come to me, and I began to shout loudly."

Zhao Anhua, of the hospital affiliated to the Manaoshan Mine, said after the rescue, "Li was sober-minded, and his blood pressure and heartbeat were normal."

Zhang Riqing, deputy director of the Chenzhou Municipal Work Safety Administration, said, "Rescuers have been working around the clock. According to signs we have gathered from underground, the four trapped miners still have a chance of survival."

The blocked area was 2,000 meters from entrance to the shaft. Due to limited space, rescuers were taking turns to dig in teams of four. Their work was also hampered by silt in the tunnel.

The Manaoshan Mine produces a mix of iron, manganese and other ores.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2009)