Graphite mine poisoning kills 15 in central China

CHANGSHA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) — Fifteen people died after they inhaled poisoned gas in a graphite mine Monday in central China’s Hunan Province, local authorities said Saturday. The accident occurred at around 4 p.m. Friday at Jicai Graphite Mine in Yuanlutang township, Beihu District, Chenzhou City. The rescue ended at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, said a municipal government spokesman. Further details are not yet available, and the cause of the accident is being investigated. Also in Chenzhou, eight miners trapped underground Monday by a flood at the Wangda Graphite Mine were saved Tuesday afternoon.