Two men who hid from police in a coal mine full of poisonous gas have been rescued in northeast China after 23 hours underground.

On February 1, two male migrant workers in Jidong County, Heilongjiang Province were caught attempting to steal a bundle of electric cables from a coal mine that had been closed for four months.

The two men dumped the cables on the ground and ran back into the mine, which the police said was 1,500 meters deep and full of carbon monoxide.

The colliery, located in Hada Village, had halted production for safety reasons and police believe it could cave in at any time.

Having waited at the two exits for 18 hours without success, some police officers entered the tunnels but were unable to carry out an effective search.

Rescuers used a loudspeaker to persuade the two fugitives to come out but hours of shouting met with no response.

However, the following evening, after the men had been underground for 23 hours, police heard a weak voice calling for help. They rushed in and helped the men out.

The two suspects had difficulties in breathing and walking, but they have made a full recovery after being treated in a local hospital, police said.

The local police have arrested them for stealing electric cables worth 60,000 yuan (less than US$ 8,000).

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2007)