BEIJING, Jan 14, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The death toll from an accident at a coal
mine in central China has risen to 13, with three people still missing, the
mine's parent company said Sunday.

State media reported Saturday that a probable explosion had occurred the
previous day at a mine in Pingdingshan, Henan province.

The blast initially left 10 people dead and six missing, according to state
broadcaster CCTV.

Pingdingshan Tianan Coal Mining said in a stock market filing on Sunday that
"so far... 13 people have been confirmed dead" in the incident.

"Three other people remain missing and subject to all-out search and rescue
efforts," said the statement posted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange website.

The firm said the blast occurred at a subsidiary and it had halted production
at more than a dozen mines "due to the current severe production safety
situation".

State news agency Xinhua said on Saturday that 425 people were working
underground when the explosion happened.

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.