10 killed in coal mine flood in China

Ten people have died in flooding in a state-owned mine in north China's coal-rich Shaanxi province, rescuers said.

The bodies of all the trapped miners, who were struck in the flood have been recovered, official Xinhua news agency said.

Eighty eight miners were working underground at the mine in Changzhi city on Saturday when flooding occurred but 72 of them had managed to escape, the rescue headquarters said.

Mine accidents are a regular occurrence in China, the world's largest coal producer. Nearly 3,800 persons were killed in coal mine accidents last year.

The coal mine mishaps are often blamed on lack of adequate safety measures though authorities say steps taken by them have brought down the incidence.