China mine blast kills 111 miners

A massive gas explosion in a northeastern China coal mine killed at least 111 miners and left four others missing, an official said.

Yesterday’s explosion left 24 workers from the Chengzihe mine in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang in hospital, said the city official.

The Chengzihe mine has 5,500 workers and produces 1.1 million tons of coal annually, according to Xinhuanews agency.

Work has been suspended at nine other coal mines under the jurisdiction of the Jixi municipality mining administration, which manages the Chengzihe mine.

AFP