China mine blast kills 32

CHINA: Authorities have confirmed that 32 people were killed in two coal mine accidents in China earlier this week, state media said Friday, in the latest incidents to blight the industry.

In the central province of Henan, rescuers have recovered 16 bodies from a colliery in Dengfeng city following a lethal gas leak, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a spokesman for the local work safety administration.

The leak occurred late Monday at the Sanyuandong coal mine. A total of 127 miners were in the pit at the time, but 111 of them were quickly brought to safety, Xinhua reported.

In southwest China’s Guizhou province, 16 other miners were killed in a similar gas outburst on Tuesday at the Mingyang coal mine in the city of Renhuai. Forty-three others managed to escape or were rescued, Xinhua said.

Both accidents are under investigation.

BEIJING, Friday, AFP