Six victims in a colliery gas blast in north China's coal-rich
province of Shanxi left hospital on Tuesday after
treatment.
The other two survivors are still in hospital because of serious
injuries, said Xinli hospital in the city of Linfen.
Investigators said a power failure earlier on Sunday afternoon
and an ensuing gas explosion after the electricity restored 10
minutes later caused the accident.
"I'm so scared. I'll never do this job any more."said Li
Hongjun, a hospitalized miner. The electricity often breaks down in
the colliery. Nobody asked the miners to get out of the well when
the power was cut off, said Li.
The accident occurred at around 6:40 PM at Luweitan Colliery in
Yaodu district in Linfen on Sunday. Twenty-four people were dead
and eight injured.
Luweitan colliery is designed to produce 150,000 tons a year,
but its production permit and safety license have both expired.
Police have detained the mine owner but its general manager is on
the run.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2006)