10 killed, 15 injured in coal mine blast in China

At least 10 miners were killed and 15 others injured when a gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in central China, the latest deadly incident to hit the country's troubled mining industry.

Ten people have been confirmed dead and 15 others were injured in the mine explosion that occurred yesterday in Hunan Province, they said today.

The blast occurred last night at the Simachong Coal Mine in Shaodong County in the city of Shaoyang, an official from the county department said.

Thirty-nine miners were working underground when the accident happened. Twenty-nine were rescued, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying.

All 15 injured miners were rushed to a local hospital, where two remain in critical condition, the official said.

Police have detained eight people believed to be responsible for the blast, including the mine's legal representative and managers.

A further investigation into the accident is under way.

On May 25, at least nine people were killed after a coal mine was inundated with water in China's eastern Shandong province.

China's mines are considered among the world's deadliest due to lax safety regulation, corruption and poor operating procedures.