21 Dead in NE China Coal Mine Blast

Rescuers confirmed 21 miners dead and one trapped four days after a fire ripped through an unlicensed mine innorth-eastern China, Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday.

    Flames in the shaft were extinguished two days ago and ventilation restored at the colliery in the city of Qitaihe, located on the border with Siberia. The blaze broke out late Tuesday.

    At least two people, including the mine boss and the manager, were being questioned by police as China on Friday ordered a nationwide safety overhaul in response to a surge in mining accidents.

    China averaged two colliery accidents a month this year until five accidents occurred in November including a gas explosion that killed 33 miners in Chongqing, south-western China.

Source: QNA