A gas explosion in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has killed one miner and trapped five others, Xinhua quoted an official with the local coal mine safety watchdog as saying Wednesday. The blast occurred around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the Xinglong Pit in the Hechuan district. Three miners escaped with injuries, the official said, adding that one was seriously injured. The pit is operated by the Hechuan Taixin Coal Co. Ltd, a township-owned firm, he said. The mine's certificates and production licenses were valid, and its annual production capacity is 10,000 tons. Mine safety officials have been dispatched to the mine for the rescue operation and to investigate the cause of the accident.
