Society

Coalmine accident kills 28 in NW China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-18 10:52

XI'AN - The 28 miners killed in a coal mine accident in northwest China's Shaanxi Province Saturday were identified Sunday, local authorities said.

The victims were 15 people from Hubei Province, 10 people from Shaanxi Province, two people from Shandong Province and one from Hebei Province, said a government spokesperson in Hancheng City, where the accident happened.

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Police said Sunday they had detained the coal mine's owner, Guo Yungang.

All 28 miners down the mine shaft were killed when an underground cable caught fire at about 8:10 p.m. Saturday at the Xiaonangou coal mine in Sangshuping Township, said the general office of the Shaanxi provincial government in a statement Sunday.

Rescuers had retrieved the remains of five miners by 6:30 a.m. Sunday and the location of the 23 other bodies has been determined, the statement said.

The underground fire is still raging, so rescuers cannot enter the shaft, said rescuers.

Monitoring equipment has been set up to monitor gases and oxygen concentrations.

Run by Xinxin Mining Co. Ltd., the mine was being extended. Annual output at the mine was expected to rise to 90,000 tonnes from 30,000 tonnes on completion of the extension.