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Mine gas outburst toll rises to 12 in SW China
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-05 20:05

CHENGDU - The death toll from a coal mine gas outburst in southwest China's Sichuan Province has risen to 12 with six still missing, rescuers said.

The incident occurred at 2:52 a.m. Friday in a mine Jiuqing Town, Xingwen County. The Sichuan Provincial Work Safety Administration said 44 miners were underground at the time.

Only 26 emerged from the pit after the accident safely and rescuers are still searching for the missing.

Sichuan's Vice Governor, Li Chenyun, has rushed to the site to direct rescue work.

The mine, belonging to the Jinhe Coal Mining Co., Ltd., has an annual production capacity of 90,000 tons.

On Thursday, a mine explosion in northeastern Liaoning Province killed 27 people and injured six.