A GAS EXPLOSION KILLED AT LEAST 22 PEOPLE AND LEFT FOUR MISSING AT A COAL MINE IN NORTHEASTERN CHINA'S LIAONING PROVINCE ON WEDNESDAY, STATE MEDIA SAID. TWELVE MINERS ESCAPED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AT 8:15 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY IN A SHAFT ABOUT 1,000 METRES BELOW THE SURFACE, THE OFFICIAL XINHUA NEWS AGENCY SAID. AT LEAST 37 OTHER MINERS WERE INJURED AT THE WULONG COAL MINE IN LIAONING'S FUXIN CITY, THE AGENCY QUOTED SAFETY OFFICIALS AS SAYING.