Two coal mine accidents Tuesday left four dead and 44 missing in north China's Shanxi Province, said sources from the provincial government.

Transformers burned underground at a coal mine of Shuozhou Cityat approximately 3:00 am Tuesday. Four people were killed and 10 were missing, according to the sources.

A local mine at Jiaokou County of Luliang City was hit by a gas blast at around 6:20 pm Tuesday, leaving 34 people missing.

Rescue operations have started in the two coal mines respectively and leading officials of the provincial government were on their way to the mines Tuesday evening.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2004)