Chinese coal mine blast claims 29 lives

30/10/11 14:43 CET

world news

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At least 29 workers are dead after a coal mine explosion in China.

It is just the latest disaster in what has become a regular occurence in the country’s dangerous mining industry.

Last year 2,433 people died in coal mine accidents; the year before the figure was 2,631.

This latest explosion happened in a state-owned mine in Hengyang in the southern Hunan province.

Some reports say the mine had been operating illegally, with its licence suspended earlier this year over safety concerns.

Observers describe China’s mines as the most dangerous in the world due to lax safety standards.

More about: Accident, China, Mining

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