Death toll in East China coal mine accident rises to 13

JINAN - As two more miners were confirmed dead, the death toll rose to 13 after a rock burst at a coal mine in East China's Shandong province, local authorities said Sunday.

Another eight miners remain trapped in a 74-meter-deep tunnel, which is blocked by a falling coal seam at both ends, according to the emergency rescue headquarters.

Rescuers have cleared 42 meters of the tunnel as of 6 am Sunday and are working on the remaining 32 meters from both ends.

The accident occurred at Longyun Coal Mining Co Ltd in Yuncheng County on Oct 20. A total of 22 people were trapped in the tunnel after coal fell at both ends from the rock burst. One has been rescued.

Rock burst accidents are often caused by fractures in rocks due to mining.