(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-24 13:52

CHONGQING -- Seven miners were killed and two others were injured in a gas explosion in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the local coal mine safety watchdog said on Friday.

The blast occurred at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday at the Xinglong Pit in the Hechuan district of Chongqing. Eighteen of the 27 miners working underground had escaped, seven were killed and two others had injuries.

The two injured miners are in stable conditions.

Investigators blamed managers of the colliery for violating safety rules by ordering miners to enter the pit under risky conditions.

The pit is operated by the Hechuan Taixin Coal Co. Ltd, a township-owned firm.

The mine's certificate and production license are valid, and its annual production capacity is 10,000 tons.