Coal mine blast death toll rises to 15 in north China

The death toll in an explosion at a coal mine in Linfen City of north China's Shanxi Province early Saturday has risen to 15, local authorities said.

At least 20 others were injured as of 9 a.m. in the blast at Liugou Coal Mine of Yicheng County, but the casualty number could further rise, said a senior official of Yangquan Coal Industry (Group) Co. Ltd, which owns the coal mine.

The official said the blast occurred at the dormitory area instead of the earlier reported powder magazine.

The rescue work is still going on, and the cause of the blast is under investigation, the official said.

Source: Xinhua