BBC Fears for trapped Chinese miners

Rescuers are trying to reach at least 77 miners trapped after an explosion at a Chinese coal mine reportedly left 16 dead.

More than 100 miners were underground at the privately-run pit in Xuzhou city when a build-up of gas triggered the blast on Sunday morning.

Thirteen people have been rescued so far, according to local media. China Central Television (CCTV) reported 16 miners had been killed in the blast 260 metres (850 feet) below ground.

China's Xinhua news agency reported that the mine was being operated illegally after local authorities banned its operation on 15 June.

Safety checks

The coal contractor, who ignored the closure order, has now been detained.

China's coal industry is the world's largest, but has a poor safety record, with 5,300 deaths reported last year in mining accidents.

Almost 600 miners died in accidents in a six-week period in May and June this year alone.

The government had ordered all state-owned small mines to close for safety checks last month, and had cracked down on tens of thousands of illegal, privately run mines.

Most miners comes from poor rural areas with high unemployment, and are willing to jeopardise their lives to earn a living.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001