 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Death toll rises to 42 in China mine blast: state media
Beijing (AFP) Sept 9, 2009 The death toll from a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China has risen to 42, with 37 workers still trapped underground, state media reported Wednesday, citing local officials. The deadly blast, the latest to rock the notoriously dangerous coal mining industry here, took place early Tuesday in a small mine in Pingdingshan city in Henan province, officials said. Two city officials were sacked and all of the city's 157 mines temporarily shut down following the accident, which the official Xinhua news agency said was believed to have been the result of illegal mining. A total of 93 miners were working at the time of the explosion. Fourteen managed to escape, officials said. China's coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world, with safety standards often ignored in the quest for profits and the drive to meet surging demand for coal -- the source of about 70 percent of China's energy. Official figures show that more than 3,200 workers died in collieries last year, but independent labour groups say the actual figure could be much higher, as many accidents are covered up in order to avoid costly mine shutdowns. Elsewhere in Henan, 13 people -- six miners and seven rescuers -- were killed Wednesday in a fire at a gold mine in the city of Lingbao, Xinhua reported. The blaze was sparked when a sudden cave-in caused an electric cable to catch fire, the report said, citing the local coal mine industry bureau. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Surviving the Pits
35 dead, 44 trapped in China mine blast: officialBeijing (AFP) Sept 8, 2009 At least 35 people were killed and 44 others were trapped after a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China early Tuesday, the government's work safety watchdog announced. A total of 93 people were working in the mine in Pingdingshan city in Henan province when the blast took place in the early hours, the State Administration of Work Safety announced on its website. Fourteen were able to ... read more |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2009 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook