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BEIJING - A FIRE at a coal mine in northeastern China killed 17 people on Wednesday, state media reported, in the latest deadly accident to strike the nation's hazardous mining industry.
The fire broke out in the morning at the Jin'an Coal Mine in Liaoning province and later caused a tunnel collapse which prevented the victims escaping, Xinhua news agency quoted local officials as saying.
'The miners all suffocated,' said Mr Yin Yuke, spokesman for the provincial coal industry bureau, according to Xinhua.
Thirteen other miners managed to escape the blaze, which occurred when coal began to apparently spontaneously combust.
The mine, located near the city of Liaoyuan, was operating with all required official permits, it said.
Nearly 3,800 lives were lost in Chinese coal mines last year, down 20 percent from the year before, the government reported last month.
However, many independent labour groups suspect the actual death toll is much higher, saying many accidents are covered up to prevent costly shutdowns and legal action.
China, which relies heavily on coal for its energy needs, recently launched a campaign to close illegal and unsafe mines to stem the disasters.
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