Story highlights
The gas explosion took place Saturday evening in Hunan province, Xinhua reports
35 miners were inside at the time; 6 of them were rescued and sent to a hospital
40 rescuers are trying to find 1 person still unaccounted for
One miner is trapped and 28 others are dead following a gas explosion at a central Chinese coal mine, state-run media reported Sunday, citing rescuers.
Thirty-five people were in the Xialiuchong Coal Mine in Hengyang, which is part of Hunan province, when the blast happened around 6 p.m. Saturday, according to Xinhua.
Authorities soon launched a rescue operation, helping six miners get out and transporting them to a hospital for treatment, authorities told the official news agency.
Dozens of emergency vehicles, including ambulances and police cars, were on the scene overnight Saturday. Some of the miners’ family members waiting at the site periodically erupted in tears as the night unfolded.
In addition, 40 rescuers were working to find the one miner who still has not been found.
Mining accidents are not uncommon in China, as few mines follow government safety regulations. According to the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, almost 2,500 miners were killed in mine accidents in 2010.
According to Xinhua, Xialiuchong Coal Mine is state-owned and has been in operation for 40 years. It is legally operated, with more than 160 miners typically on site.