Chinese authorities confirm 104 deaths in recent mine accident

MOSCOW. November 23. KAZINFORM The death toll in a coal mine explosion in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has reached 104, the Xinhua news agency said on Monday citing the Xinxing Coal Mine officials; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

Earlier, 92 people were reported to have died in the blast that occurred early on Saturday after a gas buildup at the part of the mine about 500 meters underground.

A total of 528 miners were inside the mine at the time of China's deadliest mine accident in two years. The company said 420 workers have been rescued while the fate of four people remained unknown.

According to the mine officials, the rescue is still underway and a probe has been launched into the causes of the accident; Kazinform recites to RIA Novosti.

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