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Fatal China mine blast traps many Fatal China mine blast traps many
(30 minutes later)
A gas blast at a coal mine in China has killed at least 11 people and left more than 100 trapped, state media reports. A suspected gas blast at a coal mine in China has killed at least 15 people and left 114 trapped, state media reports.
Xinhua said 389 people escaped from the mine in Hegang City in northern Heilongjiang province, and rescue teams were trying to reach those trapped. Xinhua said that 528 workers were in the mine in Heilongjiang province at the time of the blast and that rescuers were searching for those trapped.
Some 400 other miners reportedly managed to escape the mine, in the region bordering Russia.
China's coal mines are notoriously dangerous despite tighter government regulations aimed at upgrading safety.China's coal mines are notoriously dangerous despite tighter government regulations aimed at upgrading safety.
Last year alone, more than 3,000 people were killed in accidents while working in coal mines.Last year alone, more than 3,000 people were killed in accidents while working in coal mines.
Most accidents are blamed on a failure to follow safety guidelines, often in an attempt to cut costs and meet China's increasing demand for fuel. The blast hit at 0230 local time on Saturday morning (1830GMT Friday), said Xinhua.
The latest blast hit at 0230 local time on Saturday morning (1830GMT Friday), when 528 people were working in the mine, said Xinhua. Another 399 people managed to escape from the mine, which is reportedly operated by the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group.
The mine is reportedly operated by the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group. Most mining accidents in China are blamed on a failure to follow safety guidelines, often in an attempt to cut costs and meet an increasing demand for fuel.
The BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing says the Chinese authorities have been trying to deal with the dangers by closing smaller mining operations and forcing local authorities to regulate the industry.The BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing says the Chinese authorities have been trying to deal with the dangers by closing smaller mining operations and forcing local authorities to regulate the industry.
Beijing says safety is improving, and the high official death toll in 2008 marked a fall of 15% compared with the previous year.Beijing says safety is improving, and the high official death toll in 2008 marked a fall of 15% compared with the previous year.
But despite the measures, accidents still happen with surprising regularity, says our correspondent.But despite the measures, accidents still happen with surprising regularity, says our correspondent.
In February, more than 70 workers were killed in an explosion at a mine in Shanxi province.In February, more than 70 workers were killed in an explosion at a mine in Shanxi province.