Salvage teams swarmed a government-owned coal mine in southern China on Saturday, chasing the cause of an explosion that killed 48 workers — an accident remarkable for its high body count even in a nation whose mines are the world's most dangerous.
Rescuers pumped water into the Jianxin Coal Mine in Jiangxi province to reduce the dust kicked up by the gas explosion and lower the temperature for salvage operations. A regional safety official said he did not expect the death toll of 48 to rise.
"We're very busy handling the aftermath," said the official at the Fengcheng Coal Mine Bureau, reached by telephone Saturday morning. He wouldn't give his name or additional details.
The explosion happened about 11:45 a.m. Friday, and the government said all bodies were recovered by late in the night. Two other workers were seriously injured and five were reported slightly injured. Details of their conditions weren't available.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031114.wmine1114/BNStory/International/
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