Shanxi coal mine gas blast death toll reaches 37
( 2003-08-13 09:12) (China Daily)
A total of 37 coal miners have so far been found dead and five remain missing
following Monday's gas explosion in a coal mine in Datong in North China's
Shanxi Province.
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Rescue worker Wang
Jinjun and others walk toward the Xing'ergou coal mine in Datong, North
China's Shanxi Province August 11, 2003, to try to find five miners still
missing during a fatal a gas explosion on Monday that has already killed
37 miners. [newsphoto.com.cn]
| According to
the State Administration of Production Safety (SAPS), the blast occurred at
around 6:40 am on Monday when a total of 43 miners were working in the
Xing'ergou coal mine in Datong, with only one managing to escape.
The blast also affected a neighbouring coal mine - 14 miners working there
are currently receiving medical treatment.
Rescue workers are continuing their efforts to find the missing miners and an
investigation into the cause of the explosion is taking place, according to the
Xinhua News Agency.
Two people who are believed to be responsible for the accident have been
detained.
Shanxi Province is a major coal producing area in China, but this also brings
it a high rate of mining accidents.
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