At least 38 miners were killed and a further 54 feared dead yesterday after an explosion in a mainland coal mine.
The blast took place near Xuzhou City in Jiangsu province on Sunday, state media reported. It ripped through the Wufu mine in Gangzi village at 9.13am, trapping at least 105 miners underground.
The People's Daily Web site reported yesterday that 38 bodies had been found and more than 100 rescuers were searching for 54 miners trapped inside the shaft, which was filled with poisonous gas. Thirteen miners, including three women, were rescued on Sunday.
However, an earlier report by Xinhua said 16 bodies had been found and 77 people were missing. It was unclear what caused the discrepancy.
Local officials and residents said the chances of finding survivors were slim.
Xinhua said the Wufu mine had been closed by the authorities on June 15 but resumed production illegally one month later. Locals said Zhuang Jincai, who ran the mine, had been arrested.
Premier Zhu Rongji yesterday telephoned Jiangsu Communist Party Secretary Hui Liangyu to inquire about the progress of rescue work. Mr Hui was later quoted by Xinhua as saying that anyone found responsible for failing to ensure safety in the workplace would face 'heavy punishment'.
