Blast kills 5 in NE China coal mine

At least five miners have been killed and another 17 are missing following a gas explosion at a coal mine in Northeast China's Liaoning province. The blast occurred at around 11:40 am in a shaft at the Dahuang No 2 coal mine, at Dengta, where 23 miners were working, China Daily reported. Five bodies had been found. One miner who had managed to escape was undergoing treatment, according to a statement by the government of Dengta, a county-level city under the administration of Liaoyang city. The cause of the explosion was still unclear on Thursday night and local authorities had blocked the road leading to the mine. About three hours after the accident, rescuers and ambulances began to arrive at the mine to carry out rescue work, according to local residents.