Carbon monoxide poisoning kills 11 in coal mine

SHIJIAZHUANG - Carbon monoxide poisoning killed 11 people, after an air compressor caught fire in a coal mine in North China's Hebei province, local authorities said Friday.

Two miners have been missing since the accident occurred at 8 p.m. on Thursday in a coal mine in Huailai County of Zhangjiakou City, said a spokesman with the city government.

Thirteen miners were working underground at the time of the accident.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The mine belongs to Zhangkuang Group, a subsidiary of Jizhong Energy Group Co., Ltd.

Zhao Heping, general manager of Zhangkuang Group, has been removed from his post. Further punishments will be meted out at the conclusion of the investigation, said the spokesman.