Chinese state media say 15 miners have died after inhaling poisonous gas at a graphite mine.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the accident occurred Friday afternoon at the Jicai Graphite Mine near Chenzhou City in central Hunan province.

Xinhua cited local authorities as saying rescue efforts ended unsuccessfully early Saturday morning. It says the cause of the accident is under investigation. No further details were available.

(Sourced from www.washingtonexaminer.com)