Rescue operations have been hampered by the destruction of the mine shaft during the explosion [Xinhua]
Chinese officials have blamed illegal mining for the death of 18 people in a coal mine explosion in the Northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Tuesday.
Two miners are yet to be found as search and rescue operations continue.
The explosion took place at a small coal mine belonging to Linli Coal Mining Co Ltd in Shizuishan city and is the latest mining disaster in the world’s largest coal-producing country.
Shizuishan vice mayor Wu Yuguo told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday morning that initial investigations point to a buildup of excessive gas, which destroyed the mine shaft and made rescue and retrieval operations far more complex.
He said that Beijing was working to deal with the aftermath and comfort the miners’ families.
Chinese news agency Xinhua reports that 20 miners were working underground at the time of the incident.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
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