Death toll rises to 20 in coal mine blast
( 2003-12-08 22:07) (Xinhua)
The death toll increased to 20 on Monday from Sunday's coal mine explosion in
Yuxian County in north China's Hebei Province.
The gas blast occurred Sunday morning at the Longtai Coal Mine in Yuxian when
29 miners were working underground. Only nine miners escaped the disaster.
Among the dead was the deputy manager of the mine and two gas technicians.
Officials with the provincial government have arrived at the site to monitor
rescue efforts and investigate the blast cause. The county has closed all mines
for safety check.
Built in 1999, the Longtai Coal Mine has an annual capacity of 50,000 tons.
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