Five miners were killed and 10 others are reported missing in a gas explosion at a privately-run coal mine in southwest China's Yunnan Province Tuesday morning.
At 11:30, the explosion occurred at the coal mine in Fuyuan County and 15 miners were buried.
Five bodies have been found so far.
Leading local government officials rushed to the scene to organize rescue efforts. More than 100 people are conducting round-the-clock rescue operations, which are difficult as the pit is remote and it has been raining for days in the area.
Eight owners of the mine are still at large, sources said.
(Xinhua 05/17/2001)
