A sudden coalmine gas outburst left 18 miners missing Wednesday in Xinhua County in central China 's Hunan Province.
The disaster occurred at around 2:00 pm Wednesday in Xinyuan Coalmine located in Wentang Township, according to local officials. They said whether the miners are dead or alive is still unknown.
Local government officials have come to the mine to help the rescue work.
(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2002)
