The death toll in the coal mine explosion in Jiexiu City in
north China's Shanxi Province on Monday had increased to 26 by 8 pm
Tuesday, according to the rescue team.
Two others were still trapped underground.
The explosion occurred Monday morning in the Jinshanpo coal mine
while thirty-two miners were working underground. Four escaped
successfully.
The owner of the coal mine did not have government permission
for production, according to the Shanxi Provincial Administration
for Safety in Production.
Provincial leaders have rushed to the scene to guide the rescue
work. Rescuers are continuing to search for the missing miners.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2004)