(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-14 19:57

PINGDINGSHAN, Henan  -- Rescuers on Wednesday found another body of a miner who died in a gas explosion in a coal mine in Central China's Henan Province on Monday morning, bringing the number of confirmed dead to four.

The search operation is continuing for the other eight miners who are still missing and is expected to conclude on Wednesday evening, the rescuers said.

The rescuers had to move 180 meters through the tunnel, including 45 meters that were blocked by coal, to reach the explosion site, said Wei Xiujun, general engineer of the Pingdingshan Coal (Group) Co Ltd.

About 500 people were summoned to clear the mine and search for the missing, Wei said.

A total of 2,243 tons of coal and 47,509 cubic meters of gas burst out during the explosion, according to the investigation.

Twenty-four miners were working in the No 10 mine of the Pingdingshan Coal (Group) Co Ltd in Pingdingshan when the explosion occurred at 3:00 am on Monday.

Twelve managed to escape while the other 12 were trapped.

Pingdingshan Coal (Group)  Co Ltd is among the top 10 coal producers in China with an annual output of more than 30 million tons.