Coalmine explosion in China kills 28 workers
24 July 2008
Emergency agencies at the colliery in the northern province of Shanxi have recovered 28 bodies. The fate of the remaining six is unknown. The search was halted after explosives and detonators were found.
China's coalmines are the deadliest in the world, with an average of 10 miners killed every day last year.
The mine was properly licensed and had passed safety checks earlier in 2008, China's state news agency reports.
Its operator has told local government authorities that the blasting of explosives under the mine's main shaft caused the incident, Xinhua reported.
The Anxin Coal Mining company had many problems ranging from the use of explosives unsuitable for mining to excessive production. The company had also illegally mined unapproved areas and had poor ventilation facilities.
58 workers were underground when the blast occurred at 1100 local time (0300 GMT) on Friday 13th June 2008.
Fifteen miners managed to escape by themselves and nine were pulled out alive by rescuers. Only 29 workers were allowed to be working in the shaft at any given time.
Critics say China's soaring demand for fuels leads many mine-owners to ignore safety concerns in an attempt to increase production.