China coal mine gas leak -- 16 escape, 4 trapped

BEIJING, July 14 (Reuters) Sixteen people trapped for hours in a Chinese coal mine by poisonous gas escaped unhurt today, but four of their colleagues remain underground, unable to get to the surface, the Xinhua news agency said.

Workers were clearing a mine pit to investigate a previous accident when the gas leaked at dawn, trapping two rescue workers, two mine safety workers, and 16 miners, Xinhua said, citing the provincial mine safety administration.

All but four had walked out of the mine by evening, and had been sent to the hospital for checks.

China's coal mining industry is the world's deadliest, claiming 4,746 lives last year or an average of 13 a day.

The mine workers had been investigating a June flood at the mine in Hejin which killed 9 miners and was originally covered up by the mine owner, Xinhua said.

In the first half of this year, managers covered up 46 work accidents in which 205 people died, Xinhua said, citing the State Administration of Work Safety.

REUTERS AGL RK2305