166 workers trapped after China mine collapse

At least 166 workers were trapped today after an explosion tore through a central Chinese coal mine, sending smoke billowing out from air vents, the government said.

Another 127 workers escaped when the blast rocked the state-owned Chenjiashan coal mine in Shaanxi province at 7.20am (11.20pm Irish time), when 293 workers were underground, the official Xinhua News Agency said.