The number of miners killed in a colliery gas explosion in
Wuhai, a city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,
has risen to 16 Saturday afternoon.
The explosion occurred Friday afternoon, when 19 miners were
working inside. Rescuers have found bodies of 16 miners. Only three
miners have been evacuated.
According to a preliminary investigation, the company is
operating the mine without safety production license.
The company said that it has applied for the license, but hasn't
got approval so far. The investigators led by Zhao Shuanglian, vice
chairman of the regional government, have frozen the company's bank
account, cash and property.
In central China's Henan Province, five people were killed and
four others injured in a firecracker plant blast on Saturday, local
government sources said on Sunday.
The blast occurred early Saturday in a firecracker workshop in
Houluo Village of Tongxu County. The four injured people have been
hospitalized.
Prior to the blast, a minor explosion occurred at the same
workshop on Friday night. As it caused no causalities, workers
continued production until the fatal blast on Saturday, according
to initial investigation.
Further investigation on the accident is still under way.
(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2005)