According to latest information from rescue headquarters, the death toll rose to 24 and eight others remain missing in the coalmine gas explosion in Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province.

The gas blast occurred at 4:50 PM Saturday in the Wayaobao Coal Mine located in the county of Zichang. A local government source said 39 miners were working underground when the blast occurred and only seven miners managed to escape to the surface.

Shaanxi provincial government held an emergency meeting on Sunday and called on all mines in the province to improve their work safety procedures.

An investigation into the cause of the blast is underway.

(China.org.cn, Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2006)