Mine blast in China leaves 15 dead, over 100 trapped

Fifteen people died and over 100 are trapped after an explosion early on Saturday at a mine in northeastern China.

Fifteen people died and over 100 are trapped after an explosion early on Saturday at a mine in northeastern China, authorities were quoted as saying by national media.

The Chinese work safety watchdog said 528 miners were working at the mine in the Heilongjiang Province's city of Hegang when the blast occurred and 399 of them managed to escape.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear.

The mine belongs to one of China's biggest coalminers Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group.

Chinese coal mining industry is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. Up to 7,000 lives are claimed annually during accidents at mining enterprises.

A gas explosion at a Chinese coalmine in 2005 killed over 200 people.

MOSCOW, November 21 (RIA Novosti)