XI'AN - At least 38 miners were killed and 13 others trapped in four separate coal mining accidents in China over the weekend, highlighting the country's struggle to improve mine safety.

Twenty-eight miners were confirmed dead following a fire that ignited suddenly at 8:10 pm on Saturday in a coal mine in Hancheng city, Shaanxi province, in Northwest China.

The Xiaonangou Coal Mine is a private enterprise, the owner of which is being held by police.