42 dead, 66 trapped after China mine blast

2009/11/21

BEIJING: An explosion at a coal mine in northeast China early today killed at least 42 workers, state news agency Xinhua said, citing emergency services. A further 66 were trapped and first-aid workers were searching for them, according to the agency, in the latest deadly incident to hit the industry.

The blast happened at 2:30 am (1830 GMT Friday) at a mine in Heilongjiang province, according to a statement issued by the State Administration of Work Safety.

A total of 528 miners were working in the pit, near Hegang City, when the blast occurred, the state administration said.

State-run China Central Television (CCTV) had earlier put the toll at 31 with 82 trapped underground.

The mine, which produces 1.45 million tonnes of coal a year, is owned by the Heilongjiang Longmay Mining Holding Group, based in provincial capital Harbin.

Xinhua said vice premier Zhang Dejiang was going to the scene of the incident to direct rescue operations. President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao had given instructions on the rescue work. - AFP