63 dead in non-nuclear energy accident

[Susan L Gawarecki <loc@icx.net>]

63 dead in east China coal mine blast 

>From the "Hindu" http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/01141612.htm



Beijing, May 14. (PTI): At least 63 miners have died and 23 others are

missing and feared dead after a gas explosion ripped through a coal mine

in eastern China, official reports said today. 



The death toll in the mine accident has risen to 63 and 23 were still

missing at noon today, the official Xinhua news agency reported from the

provincial capital, Hefei. 



The blast occurred yesterday afternoon when 113 miners were working some

1,950 feet deep in the Luling coal mine. Twenty-seven have been rescued,

officials said. "The chances of their survival is not very good," one

official said. 



Senior officials, including the province's governor Wang Jinshan and

vice-governor Huang Haisong were at the scene to organise and lead the

rescue work. A special team is carrying out the rescue work underground.



Following the accident, authorities have closed all coals mines in

northern Anhui province to inspect working conditions. Only those

meeting proper safety standards could resume operations, officials said.



The cause of the blast is still under investigation, the report said. 



Chinese mines have an appalling safety record with thousands of deaths

reported last year in explosions and floods, mostly in remote and

illegal mines in the countryside. 

-- 

.....................................................

Susan L. Gawarecki, Ph.D., Executive Director

Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee

102 Robertsville Road, Suite B, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Toll free 888-770-3073 ~ www.local-oversight.org

.....................................................

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