Rescue work is progressing slowly after two gas outburst accidents on Thursday and Friday in north China's Hebei Province, with 18 miners still missing underground.

The two accidents happened Thursday in Dashucun coal mine and Friday in the Tao'er coal mine respectively, in which ten miners have been confirmed dead and 18 others are still missing, said rescuers, adding that the survival chances for the trapped are very slim.

The gas density in both coal mines is still beyond safety limits and the explosion discharged a large amount of coal powder, said a spokesman for the rescuing headquarters.

Rescuers have to use mechanic fans to dissipate gas in the shaft and then sprinkle water on the powder to prevent the particles from floating in the air before they can search for the trapped miners.

They are also required not to use any mechanical equipment to avoid hurting the trapped workers.

The Dashucun coal mine is among the country's highest gas density coal mines. Rescuers have to stop clearing the debris immediately when the gas density is detected to exceed the safe level, a spokesman with the coal mine said.

By 17:00 p.m. Sunday, 113.4 tons of coal powder had been cleared from the coal mine.

The government of Hebei Province has decided to install gas-monitoring system to all coal mines this year to prevent gas blasts and make better use of the gas resources.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2007)