China mine blast kills 13 - Xinhua

BEIJING, Oct 6 (Reuters) A gas explosion at a Chinese coal mine killed 13 people today, Xinhua news agency said, adding to a grim set of statistics from the world's deadliest mining industry.

Thirteen people had been confirmed dead and seven were injured at the mine in the southwestern province of Sichuan, the agency said.

China is struggling to meet booming demand for coal which fuels about 70 per cent of its energy consumption.

In the rush for profits, safety regulations are often ignored, production is pushed beyond limits and dangerous mines that have been shut down are reopened illegally.

Last year, 3,300 coal mine blasts, floods and other accidents killed nearly 6,000 people, according to official figures.

REUTERS SP KP1210