The death toll from a coal mine explosion in East China's Jiangsu Province is expected to rise, as the stranded miners have little hope of survival.
The collapse of coal mine roofs and poor ventilation in the shafts make it difficult for the trapped miners to survive, according to an official with the State Administration of Work Safety, who declined to be identified. Forty six other miners are still stranded underground.
The gas density in the shafts is twice that permitted by the nation, she said.
"Gas with that density would kill a man in one breath," she added.
However, the rescue work is still under way in Xuzhou's Gangzi Village where the mine is located.
The bodies of 46 victims had been found at the coal mine by Tuesday morning.
Blasts at the private coal mine, which took place Sunday morning, trapped a total of 105 miners.
One lucky miner escaped the explosion because he did not go down the shaft after reporting for duty.
Thirteen victims sent to local hospitals are now in stable condition.
The coal mine tragedy might have been caused by an explosion at the coal layer or from within the shaft.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
The small private mine was closed by the local administration on June 15 because it failed to meet safety standards.
However, the mine opened again on July 15 without approval from the local government, said the administration official.
Xuzhou, which has rich coal resources, is now streamlining coal mines run by the village and township, according to Hui Liangyu, secretary of the Jiangsu provincial committee of the Communist Party of China.
Operations at more than 100 small coal mines in Xuzhou have been stopped and the mines are undergoing safety reviews.
Hui condemned red tape and bureaucracy in the management of work safety and demanded a thorough inspection of work safety conditions in the province.
Those responsible for safety-related accidents on the job will be severely punished to ensure that the State's work safety laws are followed, he said.
Anyone found to be responsible for any type of work safety accident, especially those involving illegal production, will face heavy punishment in accordance with related laws and regulations, he added.
(China Daily 07/25/2001)
