Blast injures 27 miners, traps 6 in SW China

CHENGDU – Six miners remain trapped and 27 others were injured after a gas explosion occurred early Sunday morning in a mine in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, local authorities said.

The blast occurred at the Xinsheng coal mine in Rongxian County at about 7:50 am, said a spokesman of the rescue team at a press conference in the afternoon.

Earlier reports said 10 miners were injured in the accident. The mine is run by Sichuan Hongxin Mining Co, Ltd.

One hundred and ninety two miners were working underground when the accident happened and 186 miners escaped, said the spokesman.

The 27 injured miners were sent to No 4 People’s Hospital in the city of Zigong.

Rescue operations for the trapped miners are continuing. The Sichuan Electric Power Corp has sent 95 workers to the mine to assist in rescue operations and ensure a steady supply of electricity to the area.

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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-05/22/content_12556462.htm