The death toll rose to 31 in a gypsum mine accident in Xingtai, a city in north China's Hebei Province, on Tuesday, according to the local government.

Five people are still missing and 33 others injured, according to the rescue headquarters.

The accident occurred at around 7:40 PM Sunday at a gypsum mine in Shangwang Village in Huining Township in Xingtai. The collapse affected two gypsum mines nearby, collapsing many of the residential houses of the two mines.

The state and provincial officials in charge of production safety have rushed to the site to direct the rescue work.

The city issued a notice on Monday, ordering all the mines in the city to implement safety overhauls.

(China.org.cn, Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2005)