Rescuers Rush To Save Trapped Miners After Typhoon Nina Brings Fierce Storm To Philippines

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - Rescuers are digging through rubble of mud and rocks to look for 13 miners trapped inside a gold field in northern Philippines on Tuesday as powerful typhoon "Nina" (international name: Hagupit) brought heavy rains that triggered landslides.

Authorities said the miners, all employees of the Benguet Mining Corporation, entered the gold field in the town of Itogon in the province of Benguet on Monday night.

However, heavy rains from Nina triggered a landslide that blocked the entrance of the gold field with mud and rocks, trapping the miners inside.

Rescuers said they were rushing against time to remove boulders and floodwaters from the mine to immediately rescue the miners.

But rescue and clearing operations were hampered by heavy rains.