It is reported that the death toll in a coal mine accident in eastern China rose to 12 on Friday after rescuers found the body of the last missing miner.

Xinhua news agency said, without elaborating that the miners were working in the colliery in Jiangxi Province on Tuesday when it was hit by a coal and gas eruption.

The report said police have detained the private mine owner and were investigating the cause of the accident.

Deadly accidents are rife in China coal sector, where safety concerns are widely ignored in the rush to satisfy surging demand for the fuel source of about 70% of the country energy.

According to government figures more than 2,600 miners were killed in China last year, although labor activists say the actual numbers are probably far higher.

(Sourced from http://www.straitstimes.com)