Post by John on Jul 4, 2008 10:29:24 GMT -5
Death toll in China coal mine accident reaches 18: state media
Wed Jul 2, 2:27 AM ET
BEIJING (AFP) - The death toll from a coal mine accident in northwestern China rose to 18 on Wednesday with the discovery that 16 missing miners had died, state media said.
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The accident occurred on Tuesday when a mine shaft collapsed at the colliery in Shaanxi province about 600 kilometres (372 miles) north of the provincial capital Xian, Xinhua news agency said.
Twenty-eight miners were working in the state-owned Huisen Liangshuijing Coal Mine at the time of the accident, it said, quoting emergency workers.
Twelve were initially rescued but two of them later died in hospital. The bodies of the remaining 16 were found by Wednesday, the report said, adding that safety officials were investigating the cause of the collapse.
China's coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world.
Safety standards are routinely ignored in the quest for profits and the drive to meet sky-rocketing demand for coal, which supplies about 70 percent of China's energy needs.
Nearly 3,800 lives were lost in Chinese coal mines last year, down 20 percent from the year before, according to official figures.
However, many independent labour groups suspect the actual death toll is much higher, saying many accidents are covered up to prevent costly shutdowns and legal action.
Wed Jul 2, 2:27 AM ET
BEIJING (AFP) - The death toll from a coal mine accident in northwestern China rose to 18 on Wednesday with the discovery that 16 missing miners had died, state media said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The accident occurred on Tuesday when a mine shaft collapsed at the colliery in Shaanxi province about 600 kilometres (372 miles) north of the provincial capital Xian, Xinhua news agency said.
Twenty-eight miners were working in the state-owned Huisen Liangshuijing Coal Mine at the time of the accident, it said, quoting emergency workers.
Twelve were initially rescued but two of them later died in hospital. The bodies of the remaining 16 were found by Wednesday, the report said, adding that safety officials were investigating the cause of the collapse.
China's coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world.
Safety standards are routinely ignored in the quest for profits and the drive to meet sky-rocketing demand for coal, which supplies about 70 percent of China's energy needs.
Nearly 3,800 lives were lost in Chinese coal mines last year, down 20 percent from the year before, according to official figures.
However, many independent labour groups suspect the actual death toll is much higher, saying many accidents are covered up to prevent costly shutdowns and legal action.