All nine miners trapped underground after a gas explosion in a coal mine in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province were confirmed dead on Thursday.

Eleven miners were underground when the blast occurred at a colliery in Qitaihe City at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, two of whom narrowly escaped with injuries.

 

Two bodies had been found and seven remained missing according to initial reports, but the rescue operation was called off yesterday after the rest were also confirmed as having been killed.

 

Rescuers are extracting hazardous gas from the coal pit to make it possible for the investigation group to go down to investigate the cause of the accident.

 

The two injured miners are under medical treatment in the hospital.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2005)