Rescue work for the Daping coalmine gas blast accident in central China's Henan Province that killed 141 miners was blocked Monday by 'weeping phenomenon,' when rescuers were clearing up debris from tunnel collapse.

A fatal gas explosion occurred at the Daping Coal Mine in Xinmi City, at 10:10 PM on Oct. 20 when 446 miners were working underground, and only 298 managed to escape. A total of 148 people were reportedly trapped the next day, and of them 141 have been confirmed dead and the remaining seven are still missing.

The coalmine is affixed to Zhengzhou Coal Industry Group, or Zhengmei, which is a listed state-owned company based near Zhengzhou, the provincial capital. The accident was the most serious colliery accident so far this year.

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2004)