All nine miners trapped underground after a gas explosion in a
coal mine in northeast China's Heilongjiang
Province were confirmed dead on Thursday.
Eleven miners were underground when the blast
occurred at a colliery in Qitaihe City at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, two
of whom narrowly escaped with injuries.
Two bodies had been found and seven remained
missing according to initial reports, but the rescue operation was
called off yesterday after the rest were also confirmed as having
been killed.
Rescuers are extracting hazardous gas from the coal
pit to make it possible for the investigation group to go down to
investigate the cause of the accident.
The two injured miners are under medical treatment
in the hospital.
(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2005)