Coal mine gas blast in north-eastern China traps 139

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: BBC

gas blast at a coal mine in northern China has left 139 miners trapped underground, state media have reported.

Xinhua said 389 people had managed to escape the mine in Hegang City, Heilongjiang province, and rescue teams were trying to reach those trapped.

China's coal mines are notoriously dangerous despite tighter government regulations aimed at upgrading safety.

Last year alone, more than 3,000 people were killed in accident while working in coal mines.

Most accidents are blamed on a failure to follow safety guidelines, often in an attempt to cut costs and meet China's increasing demand for fuel.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8371789.stm