7 killed in coal mine accident in China

BEIJING: Seven workers were killed when the roof of a coal mine collapsed in China's southwest Guizhou Province, reports said today.

The accident took place when 13 miners were working underground at the Wantian Coal Mine in Liupanshui City yesterday, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

The roof of the mine collapsed, killing seven workers and injuring one, it said.

Six of the workers managed to escape, it said. The injured miner was receiving treatment at a hospital. Meanwhile, the death toll from a flooded coal mine in southwest China rose to 20 with the recovery of 14 more bodies yesterday, nearly two weeks after the accident.

The Xiahaizi mine in Yunnan province was flooded with water on April 7 following an explosion, leaving 22 miners trapped. However, two miners still remain missing.

Police have detained seven people linked to the mine in Qujing city, including officials and shareholders of operator Li Ming Industrial Co.

Energy hungry China continued to experience coal mine accidents which officials blame on poor security standards. Last year, China recorded 589 mining-related accidents in which 1,049 people were either killed or missing.

However, officials say the number of accidents and fatalities were down by more than 24 per cent from 2012.