China mine blast leaves 40 dead, 74 trapped
Friday, 7 December 2007
BEIJING, Dec 6 (AFP): An explosion at a coal mine in northern China killed 40 people Thursday and trapped another 74 underground, officials said, in the latest tragedy to strike the notoriously unsafe industry.
The gas blast happened just after midnight at a mine in Linfen city, a big coal mining area in Shanxi province, the State Administration of Mine Safety said on its website.
"Thirteen miners have been rescued and sent to the hospital for emergency treatment, 40 have been found dead and 74 are trapped," the statement said.
No reasons were given for why the explosion at the Ruizhiyuan mine occurred but the administration said an investigation had been launched even as rescue operations were underway.
"We must immediately organise the police force, place the mine boss and other people responsible under detention, seal the mine offices and freeze its bank accounts," the statement said.
The gas blast happened just after midnight at a mine in Linfen city, a big coal mining area in Shanxi province, the State Administration of Mine Safety said on its website.
"Thirteen miners have been rescued and sent to the hospital for emergency treatment, 40 have been found dead and 74 are trapped," the statement said.
No reasons were given for why the explosion at the Ruizhiyuan mine occurred but the administration said an investigation had been launched even as rescue operations were underway.
"We must immediately organise the police force, place the mine boss and other people responsible under detention, seal the mine offices and freeze its bank accounts," the statement said.