Latest China mine disaster kills 4, traps 50

Latest China mine disaster kills 4, traps 50

An accident at a coal mine in central China on Friday killed four miners and trapped 50, in the latest disaster to hit the accident-prone industry.

The ‘rock burst’ – a sudden rupture of the rock face common in the mining industry – occurred at the pit in Henan province while 75 miners were working underground, though 14 managed to escape soon after.

Seven others were later rescued alive and emergency workers were trying to get the others out.

World’s deadliest mines

China's mines are the deadliest in the world, due to lax safety standards and a rush to feed demand from a robust economy.

In 2010, 2,433 people died in coal mine accidents in China, although this was an improvement on the toll of 2,631 a year earlier.

Reuters/Ehimen/Ekata