Coal mine fire in central China kills at least 18
BEIJING. January 6. KAZINFORM Bodies of at least 18 workers have been found so far after a recent fire at a coal mine in central China's Hunan Province, the Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
The incident happened on Tuesday at the Lisheng Coal Mine, while 70 miners were working underground. Forty-three workers later managed to escape the shaft.
Rescue work continued on Wednesday to search for survivors, as at least nine more miners are believed to be trapped at least 600 meters (2,000 feet) underground, Xinhua said.
The coal industry in energy-hungry China is one of the most dangerous in the world due to poor work safety standards and intensive work schedule; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.
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