At least 19 miners were killed when an explosion ripped through an illegal mine in China's northern Shanxi province, state press reported Sunday.
The explosion occurred early Saturday afternoon at the Jiajiabao coal mine in Ningwu county when 34 miners were working in the mine shaft, Xinhua news agency reported.
Four miners escaped after the explosion, while 11 were rescued by other miners, the report said.
According to Gong Anku, head of the Shanxi Mining Safety Supervision Bureau, the mine was owned by a small township that was operating it illegally, the report said.
China relies on coal for two thirds of its energy needs.
Official figures show that more than 6,000 miners died in accidents in China last year, although independent estimates say the real figure could be as high as 20,000. Many fatalities occur at illegal mines.
