Coal mine blast kills 11 in C. China province
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-13 18:43

An explosion at a coal mine killed 11 people on Sunday including the mine's leaders and a safety inspector.

The explosion occurred at around 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Gaoping Coal Mine at Xiangmei Township of Yongxing County, according to reports from the local government.

The victims include the head and deputy head of the coal mine, a safety inspector sent from the township safety department, a gas inspector and seven miners, said Hu Jianquan, director of Yongxing County Coal Industry Bureau.

The coal mine, with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons, is owned by the township.

Provincial and county officials rushed to the site to organize rescue efforts. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

The provincial coal mine safety department revoked the coal mine's production permit on March 2 after finding the coal mine's safety measures were substandard.