27 miners killed in coal mine blast in southwest China

5/11/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIJING — Authorities say 27 miners were killed in a coal mine blast in southwestern China.

The work safety bureau in Sichuan province says 108 miners were working underground when the accident happened today. Of the 81 rescued, six were seriously injured and nine suffered minor injuries.

Less than 24 hours earlier, another coal mine blast in southwestern China killed 12 people. Friday's gas explosion happened in neighboring Guizhou province.

China's mines are the deadliest in the world. Authorities have improved safety in recent years, but regulations are often ignored.