Society

Six dead, 27 injured in coal mine explosion

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-23 07:33

CHENGDU - Six people were killed and 27 injured in a coal mine gas blast in southwest China's Sichuan Province Sunday, rescuers said.

Altogether 192 miners were working underground when the accident happened at the Xinsheng coal mine, run by Sichuan Hongxin mining co., Ltd., in Rongxian County at about 7:50 am.

While 186 miners escaped, six were trapped, said a spokesman of the rescue team at a press conference held Sunday night. The six bodies were removed from the shaft as of 9: 40 pm.

The 27 injured miners were sent to No 4 People's Hospital in the city of Zigong.

The Sichuan Electric Power Corp has sent 95 workers to the mine to assist in rescue operations and ensure a steady supply of electricity to the area.

Police are investigating the accident.