This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8371789.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
China mine blast death toll rises China mine blast death toll rises
(about 1 hour later)
A gas blast at a coal mine in China has killed 31 people and left 82 trapped, state media reports. A gas blast at a coal mine in China has killed 37 people and left 71 trapped, state media reports.
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.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.
Up to 400 other miners reportedly managed to escape the mine, in the region bordering Russia.Up to 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 mining accidents.Last year alone, more than 3,000 people were killed in mining accidents.
The latest blast happened at 0230 local time on Saturday (1830 GMT on Friday), said Xinhua.The latest blast happened at 0230 local time on Saturday (1830 GMT on Friday), said Xinhua.
Deep undergroundDeep underground
Most of the workers managed to escape the pit, which is reportedly operated by the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group. Most of the workers managed to escape the pit, but many were still trapped about a third of a mile (500m) underground, Chinese media report.
But 31 workers were killed and another 82 were still trapped about a third of a mile (500m) underground, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The mine is 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. State-run mines are generally considered safer than private collieries, whose lax safety standards contributed to a high rate of accidents.
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. Most are blamed on a failure to follow safety guidelines, often in an attempt to cut costs and meet an increasing demand for fuel.
Beijing says safety is improving, and the high official death toll in 2008 marked a fall of 15% compared with the previous year. The Chinese authorities have been trying to deal with the dangers by closing smaller mining operations and forcing local authorities to regulate the industry, says the BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing.
But despite the measures, accidents still happen with surprising regularity, says our correspondent. The government closed some 1,000 small mines in a recent safety drive, and says the number of miners killed has been halved as a result.
But miners are still dying at a rate of six a day, and independent labour groups say many accidents are covered up in the drive for profit and coal.
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.
Are you in the area? Have you or has anyone you know been affected by this incident? Please send in your comments using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you or has anyone you know been affected by this incident? Please send in your comments using the form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions