Gas explosions kill 12 people, trap 11 others in separate mining accidents in China

Mine explosions kill 12 in China, 11 more trapped

BEIJING — State media says a coal mine explosion has killed 12 people in northern China while 11 other miners are trapped in the southwest of the country after another accident.

The official Xinhua News Agency said Monday the 12 miners were killed in Shanxi province when a pocket of gas was ignited. Four others survived.

Xinhua says 11 miners are trapped underground in Yunan province also as a result of a gas explosion.

China’s mining industry is the world’s deadliest with most accidents blamed on poor safety as enterprises scramble to feed the country’s insatiable demand for coal. Last month 108 miners were killed in a coal mine blast in northeast China. It was the country’s deadliest mining accident in two years.