Tragic

China Mine Accident Kills 21

17 trapped, 239 made it to the surface.

Just as the world celebrated 33 trapped Chilean miners being released from the hospital, another mining accident struck Saturday, leaving 21 miners dead and 17 more missing underground in China, said the government. According to the national safety work agency, a “sudden coal and gas outburst” hit a mine in the central province of Henan in the city of Yuzhou, where 276 miners were working underground. A total of 239 miners made it back to the surface safely. According to official statistics, 2,631 Chinese miners were killed last year, although many independent labor groups believe this figure to be much higher since many accidents are allegedly covered up. The high death rate is most likely due to inefficiency and corruption, leaving coal mining, which provides China with 70 percent of its energy, incredibly accident prone.