CHINA> Regional
10 missing in southwest China coal mine accident
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-13 06:41

CHENGDU -- Ten people went missing in a coal-gas outburst in a coal mine in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Sunday, an official of the provincial work safety administration said.

The accident took place shortly after the midday when 21 miners were working in the Xingfu coal mine in Hongqiao town, Jiang'an county, the official said.

Eleven of the miners managed to escape on their own, while the other 10 were missing as of 8 pm Sunday.

Vice governor of Sichuan Li Chengyun and officials of the provincial work safety administration have rushed to the site to coordinate rescue efforts.

Rescuers from nearby Yibin city and Wenshan county as well as those from the Furong mining group were involved in the rescue operations.