The number of miners killed in a colliery gas explosion in Wuhai, a city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has risen to 16 Saturday afternoon.

The explosion occurred Friday afternoon, when 19 miners were working inside. Rescuers have found bodies of 16 miners. Only three miners have been evacuated.

According to a preliminary investigation, the company is operating the mine without safety production license.

The company said that it has applied for the license, but hasn't got approval so far. The investigators led by Zhao Shuanglian, vice chairman of the regional government, have frozen the company's bank account, cash and property.

In central China's Henan Province, five people were killed and four others injured in a firecracker plant blast on Saturday, local government sources said on Sunday.

The blast occurred early Saturday in a firecracker workshop in Houluo Village of Tongxu County. The four injured people have been hospitalized.

Prior to the blast, a minor explosion occurred at the same workshop on Friday night. As it caused no causalities, workers continued production until the fatal blast on Saturday, according to initial investigation.

Further investigation on the accident is still under way.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2005)