Death toll from the deadly coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has risen to 87 as of 7 a.m. Sunday, said local authorities.


Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang (1st R) visits an injured miner at a hospital in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Nov. 21, 2009. The death toll of a gas outburst accident in a coal mine in Hegang City has risen to 42 while 66 other miners were still missing.

Another 21 are still trapped in the shaft.


Heavy smoke rises from the entrance to the coal mine in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Nov. 21, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

The blast happened at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday at the Xinxing Coal Mine under the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group's subsidiary in Hegang City. A total of 528 miners were working underground, among whom 420 have escaped the accident, said staff with the company.

Source: Xinhua