Society

7 killed in lightning-triggered explosion in NE China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-18 13:23

CHANGCHUN - The death toll from a lightning-triggered explosion at a quarry in northeast China's Jilin Province climbed to seven by Friday as rescuers recovered one more body.

The explosion happened Thursday evening at the Yongxin Quarry in Donghu Town when lightning hit detonators arranged for quarrying operations, local authorities said.

The explosion buried eight workers under debris. Only one survived. He was injured and has been hospitalized.

The site of the accident is still cordoned off but rescue work has ended.

There were still detonators buried at the private quarry, which has been ordered to suspend operations pending a safety overhaul, rescuers said.