Death toll rises in Sichuan coal mine explosion

The number of people killed in a coal mine accident in China's Sichuan province on Saturday has climbed to 28 after a severely injured miner died when rescue efforts failed, an official said on Sunday.

Work safety authorities have ordered the suspension of operations in all coal mines in the province while an overhaul takes place.

According to Sichuan Provincial Work Safety Bureau, there was a gas explosion at about 2 pm on Saturday in Taozigou coal mine, in Luxian county in the city of Luzhou, when 108 miners were working underground.