A coalmine explosion in Cixian County, north China's Hebei Province, on Thursday afternoon has claimed six lives. As at 2:30 AM Friday, rescuers had rescued all 25 miners who were trapped in the shafts after the explosion.

At the time of the explosion, the coalmine was undergoing safety rectification works. It was also in the process of applying for a production license, which had been revoked due to inadequate safety facilities, according to an official with the Hebei provincial administration for production safety, who declined to give his name.

Investigations into the cause of the accident are underway.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2006)