China mine blast kills 22, traps scores

BEIJING - At least 22 Chinese miners were killed and 60 more trapped underground on Monday when a buildup of gas exploded in a mine shaft, state media said, the latest disaster in the world's deadliest mining industry.

The explosion rocked the Shenlong Coal Mine in the far-western region of Xinjiang, trapping 87 miners, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Five miners had been rescued, Xinhua said. An official with the Safety Production and Supervision Management Bureau in Xinjiang's Fukang county put the number rescued at six.

Last year, more than 6000 miners in China were killed in explosions and accidents nationwide.

China has pledged to clean up the industry, but with the economy reliant on coal for about 70 per cent of its energy needs, it has proved an uphill battle.

China produces about double the amount of coal official media say it can safely mine.

- REUTERS