Coal mine blast kills 18 in China

At least 18 miners were killed and 39 others are still trapped after a coal mine blast in north China's Shanxi province.

At least 18 miners were killed and 39 others are still trapped after a coal mine blast in north China's Shanxi province, local officials said on Sunday.

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The blast occurred in Linjiazhuang coal mine of Jinzhong City yesterday, a Xinhua news agency report quoted local officials as saying.

Rescue operations are on to save the 39 miners.

China is the world's largest coal producer as well as consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are notorious for high rates of accidents. Every year, thousands of miners die in coal mine blasts or flooding accidents.

Authorities often blame lax safety standards in private and illegal coal mines for the accidents.