Coal, gas outburst kills 5 in Yunnan

KUNMING - Five people died in a coal and gas outburst at a colliery in Southwest China's Yunnan province, local authorities confirmed on Monday.

The accident happened at 6:30 pm Sunday, when 47 miners were working at a shaft of the Lianhuachongchagou Coal Mine in Qilin district of Qujing city, the district government said.

Among the 47 miners, 42 managed to escape. Rescuers pulled another four from the debris, all dead later in hospital, the government said.

At 4 am Monday, the last dead body was found among the debris, it said.

The colliery is a licensed coal mine, but with a high density of coal mine methane or mash gas, located near Enhong village.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.