2010-03-25 22:41

SHIJIAZHUANG - Two miners were killed and another nine trapped underground following a gas explosion Thursday in a colliery in north China's Hebei province, provincial work safety authorities said.

Eighteen people were working in the shaft when the accident occurred at about 1 pm at Dadi Coal Mine in Chengde county of Chengde city. Seven people escaped, according to Hebei work safety administration.

The mine's production licence expired in June 2006, and was suspended from production for rectification, the administration said.

The mine has an annual production capacity of 40,000 tons.

Rescue work has been launched.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.