Across China: Gansu

6 killed in mine blast

Six people were killed after a gas blast hit a colliery in Gansu province yesterday, according to the local government. A gas blast ripped through a pit of Tanshanling Coal Mine in Tianzhu Tibet autonomous county, at about 5 am, when 25 miners were checking the shaft. Nineteen escaped by 5:49 am but six were trapped.

The mine was operated by Longde Coal Industry Co Ltd, which produces about 60,000 tons of coal a year. The mine was under maintenance and repair approved last month by the local authority, according to Wang Shengfu, publicity officer of the county government.