(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-15 17:19

TAIYUAN -- Initial investigations showed that substandard explosives caused a coal mine blast that left 27 miners dead and seven others trapped, local authorities said on Sunday.

Defective explosives stored in the shaft self-ignited, resulting in the deadly blast, according to an official with the Shanxi provincial coal mine safety regulator.

The rescue was halted at mid-day Saturday after rescuers found unused explosives and detonators in the shaft. Rescuers doused the explosives with water in hopes of avoiding further blasts.

The explosives-clearing operation would not start until experts had given the go-ahead, the provincial public security department said, and police were investigating the source and amount of the explosives.

Poor safety management contributed to the heavy casualties, officials said.

Investigations showed the company had exceeded its production quota, mined in unapproved areas and used poor ventilation systems, said Zhao Tiechui, the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety's director.

According to the safety rules, only 29 people were allowed to be working under the shaft at any given time, but 58 workers were under the mine when the accident happened, he said.
The explosion occurred at the Anxin Coal Mining Co. Ltd. in Xiaoyi City at about 11 a.m. Friday. Fifteen managed to escape on their own and another nine were saved by rescuers. All the 24 miners were sent to nearby hospitals.

The bodies of 27 dead workers were pulled out of the shaft at about 5 a.m. Saturday.