A colliery gas explosion early on Saturday has trapped 20 people in China's leading coal producing province of Shanxi, the local government confirmed.

 

The victims, including 16 miners, two first-aid workers and two safety inspectors, were cleaning up the pit which was flooded in an accident in June when the blast occurred at 5:00 AM, said a spokesman of the Shanxi Provincial Administration of Coal Mine Safety.

 

He said rescue work is going on but the rescuers do not have the least idea if anyone is still alive.

 

Yuanzigou, the ill-fated mine in Xiahua village in the small city of Hejin, was flooded at 9:40 PM on June 24, an accident that killed nine people but was covered up by its managers until the victims' families lodged a complaint with the local government.

 

Police have detained seven people who have been held accountable for the disaster and its cover-up, including mine owner He Yingze and four security personnel.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2007)