Society

Death toll rises to 16 in SW China mine accident

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-05 17:14

GUIYANG - The final death toll from a coal mine gas leak in Southwest China's Guizhou province Tuesday has risen to 16, after rescuers retrieved the last body Thursday.

Related readings:  Death toll from gas leak in coal mine rises to 11  15 dead in SW China mine gas leak  10 killed,7 trapped in coal mine blast in SW China  Senior executives punished after mine accident

The body was found at around 9:55 am, said a rescue headquarters spokesman.

An investigation has found that 59 miners were working underground when the accident happened at around 9:30 am at the Mingyang Coal Mine in Changgang township, Renhuai city.

Forty-three managed to escape or were rescued.

Mingyang Coal Mine is a licensed private coal mine with a production capacity of 90,000 tons per year.

The investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.