BEIJING – At least 13 coal mine workers were killed and 20 others went missing after an explosion spread poisonous gas into parts of the mine in southwestern China.
“Two miners managed to escape from the Jinshangou coal mine, where firefighters and militia members were digging through tunnels blocked by debris after Monday’s blast,” reported China’s state broadcaster CCTV.
“The rescue team has carried out three underground operations so far,” said Chongqing Deputy Mayor Mu Huaping on Tuesday.
“We have found that some tunnels have collapsed and the amount of poisonous gas has exceeded the alarm level at some parts,” he added.
“Chongqing officials ordered the temporary closure of some coal mines in the area while investigators look into the accident at the Jinshangou mine,” reported the official Xinhua news agency.
