Six killed, 25 trapped in mine explosion
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-02 20:23

Six people were killed and 25 others trapped in a coal mine explosion in Cixian County of North China's Hebei Province at Thursday afternoon.

The powder at a worksite underground exploded and caused the tragedy, said an official with the Hebei provincial administration for production safety, who refused to give his name.

The blast occurred at around 1 p.m. Thursday at a town-run coal mine in the county's Huangsha Town and six people on the ground died, said the official.

Rescuers are searching the trapped and further investigation into the explosion is underway.

The coal mine was under safety rectification and applying for the production licence, which had been revoked due to inadequate safety facilities, said the official.