December 03, 2008

9 killed in coal mine gas explosion in Hunan

Xinhua reported that at least 9 miners are killed and 5 others missing in a colliery gas outburst in Central China's Hunan Province.

The report added that the accident occurred at about 6:30 PM at the Zhangjiazhou coal mine in Chenzhou City when 17 miners were working underground and only 3 workers managed to escape.

A number of officials, including the deputy governor of Hunan and chief of the provincial work safety watchdog, were supervising the rescue operation at the site.

The colliery, with legal business licenses, was being merged with other mines under the local government's plan to reform the mining industry.