Image
© AFP/Getty ImagesRescuers prepare to head to search for survivers at the coal mine near Panzhihua.
A gas explosion at a coal mine in south-west China has killed 19 miners and trapped dozens more, state media has reported.

The Xiaojiawan coal mine in Sichuan province's coal-rich Panzhihua city exploded on Wednesday evening with 152 miners inside, Central China Television (CCTV) said. Rescuers recovered the bodies of 16 miners who died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Three other miners died at a hospital after being pulled to the surface, CCTV said. It did not provide details on the cause of death of those miners. CCTV said 28 miners remained trapped.

Owners of Zhengjin Industry and Trade, the company that owns the mine, were in police custody for investigation, the Panzhihua city government said in a statement posted online.

Coal mine accidents are common in China, where work safety rules are often ignored. Last year 1,973 miners were killed in coal mine accidents in the country, though that was down 19% from the previous year as authorities continue to improve safety.

The state administration of work safety has plans this year to close more than 600 small coal mines considered more dangerous than larger mine.

Source: Associated Press