The death toll from the latest coalmine gas outburst in
southwest China's Sichuan Province rose to 11 when the last two
bodies were retrieved on Thursday.
The sudden release of rocks and gas hit the Aotian Coal Mine in
Xingwen County early on Wednesday morning, when 28 miners were
working underground.
Rescuers lifted 17 miners to the ground from the shaft on
Wednesday, and found the bodies of the two missing people on
Thursday, according to the Sichuan Provincial Work Safety
Bureau.
The nine injured miners have been hospitalized.
The mine is licensed, with an annual output of 60,000 tons.
Investigators are still trying to ascertain the cause of the
accident.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2006)
