JOIN USSeven workers were killed and three others remain trapped in a private coal mine after an accident in China's northeast Heilongjiang Province.
Three other workers have been pulled to safety, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The three were lifted out of the mine and were in stable condition, according to the Dongning County government.
Three workers entered the Yongsheng colliery to pump out water last night, but poisonous gas caused them to faint, the report said.
Rescuers were sent to the site, but some of them were also affected by the toxic gas.
A total of 12 people have been lifted out of the mine, but seven of them died despite medical treatment, it said.
Rescue work is still underway. Rescuers said the poisonous gas may have been carbon monoxide