Death toll in China mine accident rises

BEIJING: Twenty-one people were killed in northwest China after the roof of a coal mine collapsed on Saturday, state media reported.

The death toll went up from 19 victims after rescuers found the bodies of two trapped miners yesterday.

The accident occurred at the Lijiagou coal mine of the Baiji Mining Co in Shenmu, Shanxi province. At the time, 87 people were working underground. Sixty-six people were lifted to safety after the collapse. China’s mines are regarded as some of the most dangerous in the world.