China: Mine floods killing 22

At least 22 people died and seven others are missing after a mine in north-east China flooded, state media said today.

Xinhua News Agency said the accident took place last night in a state-owned mine in Fushan, an industrial city east of the Liaoning provincial capital of Shenyang.

Xinhua described the mine as one of the 45 most dangerous coal mines in China and said that rescuers had so far recovered 22 bodies and were searching for the others.

China’s coal mines are the world’s deadliest, with numerous fires, floods and other disasters every year despite repeated official promises to improve safety.

The government says about 4,750 people died in coal mine accidents last year, an average of 13 a day.