How sad

[rogerman]

China must have some of the worst safety standards around

74 miners die, 114 injured in China mine blast


By GREG BAKER, Associated Press Writer Greg Baker, Associated Press Writer – 25 mins ago
Death toll mounts in China mine accident Play Video AP – Death toll mounts in China mine accident
Rescue workers emerge from the Tunlan Coal Mine in Gujiao, in China's Shanxi AP – Rescue workers emerge from the Tunlan Coal Mine in Gujiao, in China's Shanxi province, Sunday, Feb. 22, …

GUJIAO, China – A gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in northern China on Sunday, killing at least 74 miners and trapping dozens, state media said. It was the country's deadliest coal mine accident in more than a year.

China's mines are the world's most dangerous with more than 3,000 deaths a year in fires, floods and explosions.

The pre-dawn blast occurred while 436 workers were in the Tunlan Coal Mine in Gujiao city near Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

At least 74 miners died and 114 others were hospitalized, including six in critical condition, Xinhua said. It did not say how many workers remained trapped in the shaft but earlier reports said 65 were still underground.

Most of the injured miners were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, Xinhua said, citing doctors at a nearby hospital. Exposure to carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas, can lead to death.

Xinhua said about 80 rescuers were searching for survivors.

[Cookiemonster]

that is really sad, you hear such horror incidents in china a lot more frequently than you do in other places

[lambelkip]

it is really sad. china does not have the worst safety standards around, they just find it impossible to enforce their safety standards, since many of the mines are operated illegaly. the chinese government estimates that 80% of the coal mines in china are illegal. other estimates say that at least 35% of chinas coal comes from illegal mines, and at least 75% of the mining accidents occur in those mines. it is fairly easy for any large company to bribe government officials, and do whatever they want. that is why there have even been illegal coal mines in the city of Beijing.