At least seven people were killed and four remain trapped after an explosion at a coal mine in central China’s Shaanxi province, local media reported Tuesday.
The accident occurred Monday night in Yanchuan Village, located in the city of Yan’an. Rescue teams are trying to free the four miners who were trapped in the mine after the explosion.
China relies predominantly on coal for power, but has worked to reduce the number of fatal mine accidents by placing greater emphasis on safety and shutting down smaller operations that lacked necessary equipment.
Most mining deaths are attributed to explosions caused by the accumulation of methane and coal dust.
Fatal workplace accidents in China are the result of poor training and safety standards, corruption, and a tendency to cut costs by companies seeking to maximize profits.
In 2015, two explosions at chemical facilities in the port area of the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin killed at least 165 people and caused more than $1 billion in damage.
Source: TSF
