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Deadly explosion kills 87 in NE China colliery

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-22 08:30

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Deadly explosion kills 87 in NE China colliery

Rescuers prepare to enter the Xinxing coal mine to search for survivors following a gas explosion at the mine in Hegang, Heilongjiang Province November 22, 2009. [Agencies] More photos

Picture taken on November 22, 2009 shows debris at the scene following a gas explosion at the Xinxing mine in Hegang, Heilongjiang Province.[Asianewsphoto]

Death toll from the deadly coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has risen to 87 as of 7 am Sunday, said local authorities.

Another 21 are still trapped in the shaft.

The blast happened at around 2:30 am Saturday at the Xinxing Coal Mine under the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group's subsidiary in Hegang City. A total of 528 miners were working underground, among whom 420 have escaped the accident, said staff with the company.

More than 240 rescuers in 19 group have been sent into the shaft, while more than 300 others were helping with the rescue work, said Zhang Zhenlong, assistant chief engineer of the subsidiary.

"The blast didn't result in much damage to the laneways, but it crippled the ventilation system and communication facilities," Zhang said, adding that the rescue work in the past few hours was to repair the ventilation system.

"Fresh air from the outside could add more chances for survival of the trapped miners."

Li Zhanshu, governor of Heilongjiang, ordered more efforts in management of coal mines.

"We must put safety first," he said. "Development is important, but the growth of GDP shouldn't be achieved at the price of miners' blood."

The following is an earlier report:

HARBIN: A gas explosion in a coal mine in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has killed 42 miners and left further 66 trapped, said Zhang Jinguang, a spokesman with the rescue headquarters.

A total of 528 miners were working underground at the time of the blast at around 2:30 am Saturday. Among them, 415 have escaped the accident.

About 310 rescuers were still trying to reach the trapped workers, Zhang told Xinhua.

The gas outburst in Xinxing Coal Mine, run by the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group's subsidiary in Hegang City, happened 500 meters underground.

Pan Xiaowen, deputy director of the Hegang Mining Bureau Hospital, said the hospital has taken in 29 injured miners, including six in critical condition.

Related readings:
42 dead, 66 trapped in coal mine blast

The six, who suffered from pneumothorax and burns on heads, hands and feet, have been out of danger, Pan said, adding 800 medical staff at the hospital have joined the rescue work.

Yang Chunfeng, head nurse in the hospital's surgery department, said she had worked for more than 12 hours to rescue the miners.

Wang Xingang, an injured miner in the hospital, said in the late afternoon: "I still feel sick and dazed."

The 27-year-old electrician recalled that he was lashed out by a strong blast when he was entering the mine.

"I passed out for a while. I found I was shrouded by heavy smoke, when I regained consciousness. I groped my way out in the dark, and called for help," he said.

Wang Chaojun, Wang Xingang's father, said:"I heard a bang outside my office. I first thought it was a knock on the door, but later felt baffled at the big sound."

"When I walked out the door, I found nobody was there. I soon realized something must be wrong."

The senior Wang, a 50-year-old carpenter working in the mine for 33 years, told Xinhua that the mine had never reported any accidents before.

When being asked if he would continue to work in the mining industry, the junior Wang said:"I've not yet made a decision, but it (explosion) is too big a hit."

His wife is to give birth to a child in three months.

Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, who arrived at the scene at 3 p.m., urged all-out efforts to save the trapped miners and to protect rescuers from secondary disasters.

In addition, Zhang ordered to set up a State Council investigation team and also urged officials in other regions to learn lessons from the accident and step up work safety measures.

He also visited the hospital Saturday afternoon, urging medical workers to do their utmost to save the injured miners.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have also made instructions on the rescue work.

The Xinxing Coal Mine, located over 400 km east of the provincial capital of Harbin, has an approved annual production capacity of 1.45 million tonnes.

Longmei's Hegang subsidiary has an annual coal output of 12 million tonnes and a verified coal reserve of 3 billion tonnes.