By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Nineteen coal miners were confirmed dead after a mine blast in a northeast province of China, official Xinhua News Agency said Monday.
In the latest accident to hit China's deadly coal mining industry, a two-day rescue operation turned up the bodies after an explosion Saturday in Shunfa Coal Mine, Xinhua said.
Located in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang province, it is believed the private mine had illegally started production even though its license had been suspended, Xinhua said, adding that 21 miners were working underground at the time of the explosion.
The mine's owner was detained by local police, Xinhua said.