16 miners dead in Guizhou colliery blast
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-22 20:41

The death toll from the colliery gas blast in southwest China's Guizhou Province has been confirmed at 16, as rescue work concluded Tuesday.

In this photo released by Chinese news agency Xinhua, rescuers just returned from the pit take a rest at Shagou colliery in a town in Liupanshui City, southwest China's Guizhou province. on Saturday November 19, 2005. The death toll from the colliery gas blast in southwest China's Guizhou Province has been confirmed at 16, as rescue work concluded Tuesday. [Xinhua/AP]

The explosion took place at the Shagou Coal Mine in Liupanshui city at 4:55 a.m. on November 18 when 25 miners were working underground in the pit. Nine of the trapped managed to escape and 16 were found dead by rescuers.

Families of each dead have got compensation of 200,000 yuan (25,000 US dollars), the city government source said.

By Tuesday afternoon, the rescue efforts and work dealing with the aftermath of the accident have drawn to conclusion, the source said.