An escape capsule is seen at the rescue scene in Pingyi, East China's Shandong province. [Ju Chuanjiang and Zhao Ruixue/China Daily]

Timeline of gypsum miners' rescue:

Jan 29, 2016-- Four miners were lifted to the surface alive after being trapped underground for 36 days.

Jan 4, 2016-- No additional survivors were found after rescuers managed to bore a hole 220 meters into the collapsed gypsum mine. Thirteen workers are listed as missing.

Dec 30, 2015-- Four miners were found to be alive after being trapped underground for five days.

Dec 29, 2015-- Four leaders of Pingyi county, including Party chief Feng Chengxiu and county head Liu Chunbo, were dismissed due to several accidents in 2015.

Dec 27, 2015-- Shandong issued a notice ordering all gypsum mines in Linyi to suspend operations and undergo safety checks. The order included mines in bordering Zaozhuang and Tai'an, as well as nearby depleted mines.

Dec 27, 2015-- The owner of the collapsed gypsum mine committed suicide by jumping into a mine shaft that had partly filled with water as he was assisting in the rescue.

Dec 26, 2015-- One person died and another worker was rescued.

Dec 25, 2015-- A gypsum mine of Yurong Commerce and Trade Co collapsed in Baotai, Pingyi county of Linyi, Shandong province, trapping 29 workers. Ten workers were rescued on this day.