A coal mine accident in northern China killed 21 miners on July 5, according to Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The accident happened in the Wujiu coal mine in the southern suburb of Datong City, Shanxi Province at approximately 11:20 A.M.. Seven miners managed to escape on their own, while four others were rescued by emergency workers.
Preliminary investigation suggests a gas explosion probably caused the accident. All victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Further investigation will be made, said local authorities.
The Wujiu coal mine is a certified operation with an annual production capacity of 150,000 tons.
A majority of mine accidents in China happened in Shanxi, the leading coal producer of China. The most recent case was an explosion in another Shanxi coal mine on June 13, 2008 that killed at least 27.
In 2007 mine accidents killed nearly 3,800 according to China’s official statistics. However, some independent organizations suspect that the actual death toll is much higher than publicized, pointing out that many accidents may have been covered up to avoid shutdown of the mines or legal punishment.
Read the original Chinese article here: China’s Coal Mine Accident Kills 21
