China mine blast kills 15, another 15 missing

Beijing, May 6: A coal mine explosion in northern China has killed 15 and another 15 men are missing underground, the latest tragedy to hit the world's deadliest mining industry, the official Xinhua news agency said today.

Local officials said 125 men were underground yesterday when the blast ripped though the Pudeng mine in Shanxi province, but 95 escaped.

Rescuers were still hunting for survivors and investigating the cause of the blast. Coal seams in the area often have high levels of methane gas which must be pumped out for safe mining.

The mine is near Linfen, one of China's most polluted cities. It was operating legally, with annual output of 150,000 tonnes, Xinhua said.

Last year 4,746 people were killed by explosions, floods and other accidents in China's mines, as owners pushed production beyond safe limits to chase profits and meet the country's surging appetite for fuel.

Beijing has repeatedly pledged to crack down and clean up the industry, but local officials often have ties to mines, hampering such efforts, and closed mines often reopen without permits.

Reuters>