Nov 30, 2005 -- Voice of America News/ContentWorks

 

Chinese officials say the death toll from Sunday's coal mine blast has risen to 161 amid confusion about the number of miners working at the time of the blast.

China's state-run media had said 221 miners were reported working underground at the time of the explosion at the Dongfeng mine in Qitaihe. But with Wednesday's discovery of 11 more bodies, officials say the earlier count was too low. They have not provided a new total.

Officials say 10 miners are now thought to be missing.

Only 72 miners have been found alive since coal dust exploded at the mine in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang.

China's mining industry is the world's most dangerous. Government figures indicate some 6,000 people last year died in mine accidents.

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