http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4670575.stm
Monday, 11 July, 2005
Chinese coal miners die in blast
At least 22 miners have been killed and some 60 more are missing after a gas explosion in a coal mine in western China, state media has reported.
The blast happened at 0230 (1830 GMT) in the Shenlong coal mine in the western region of Xinjiang, the official Xinhua news agency said.
At least 87 miners were underground at the time. Five have been rescued.
China's coal mines are reputed to be the world's deadliest - more than 1,000 people have died in them this year.
Xinhua said the cause of the explosion was still being investigated.
An official from the provincial work safety bureau told the AP news agency that the death toll was expected to rise.
Correspondents say increasing demand for energy has put pressure on mines in China to provide coal faster.