BEIJING, Jan 13, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - At least 10 people were killed and six are

missing after an accident at a coal mine in central China's Henan Province,
state media said Saturday.

The accident, a likely coal and gas explosion described as an "outburst",
happened around 2:55 pm (0655 GMT) on Friday in Pingdingshan, state
broadcaster CCTV said.

Search and rescue efforts were continuing, CCTV said.

State news agency Xinhua said 425 people were working underground when the
blast took place.

Those in charge of the mine have been taken into custody by authorities,
Xinhua said.

Mining safety in China has improved in recent decades, as has media coverage
of major incidents, many of which were once overlooked.

However, accidents are still common in an industry with a poor safety record
and where regulations are not necessarily enforced.

In 2022, 245 people died in 168 accidents, according to official figures.

Last month, 12 people were killed and 13 injured in a mining accident on the
outskirts of Jixi city in northeastern Heilongjiang province.

Eleven people were killed in November in an accident at another coal mine in
the same province.

And in September, at least 16 people were killed in a coal mine fire in
southwest China's Guizhou province.