Illegal mining blamed for China colliery blast

The gas explosion in a coal mine killed seven miners and injured another two in southwest China's Guizhou Province Friday was caused by illegal mining, local authorities said Sunday. The provincial Administration of Work Safety said that the Shibanpo coal mine carried out illegal mining with inadequate ventilation facilities and other safety precautions. Fifty-seven miners were working underground when the explosion occurred around 6 a.m. at the Shibanpo coal mine in Chayuan Township, Jinsha County on Friday. Fifty miners were lifted out after the blast. The provincial government said it will launch a campaign from April 16 to improve the safety of coal mines and reduce the occurrence of mine accidents.