BEIJING - Fourteen people were killed in a coal mine gas blast in China's western province of Sichuan, state media reported on Monday, in the latest disaster to hit the world's deadliest mining industry.
Of the 17 miners underground when the accident happened early on Sunday in the Sichuan county of Xingwen, only three survived but suffered injuries, the Xinhua news agency said.
Coal provides the main fuel for China's booming economy, but the industry has an appalling safety record, with more than 5200 killed in accidents so far this year.
Overproduction is partly to blame, with mines producing more than they are safely able to in order to keep up with China's insatiable energy demand.
- REUTERS
Latest China coal mine blast kills 14
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.