Rescuers decided on Friday to end their search for two missing miners in a coal mine gas outburst that occurred on April 6 in central China's Hunan Province as the mine showed signs of more outbursts.

Chances for survival are slim for the missing miners, the rescuers said Friday. They made the decision with the consent of the miners' family and approval of the local government.

The ventilation system was ruined and tunnels blocked and seriously damaged during the outburst, while gas remained dense underground and more outbursts were highly possible, the rescuers said.

Seven people were confirmed dead in the accident at the Dongtang Coal Mine of Lengshuijiang city, when 14 miners, including six females, were working underground.

Five miners including two females managed to escape.

China's labor law forbids women from working in shafts.

The owner and investors of the coal mine have been detained by local police, however, the one who was in charge of production and his wife have fled.

Further investigation into the cause of the outburst is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2006)