Nine dead, 11 trapped in coal mine explosion in northern China
by The Associated Press
Rescuers attempting to free trapped workers; investigation underway
BEIJING—A gas explosion at a coal mine in northwest China Sept. 27 killed nine people and left 11 others trapped underground, China’s state broadcaster has reported.
The explosion happened Tuesday morning at a mine in the Shizuishan city area of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China Central Television said. Rescuers were trying to reach the trapped and the cause of the explosion was still under investigation, it said.
An officer at the Shizuishan city government confirmed the gas explosion, but said he had no further details on the blast.
China’s mines have long been the world’s deadliest, but safety improvements have reduced deaths in recent years.