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13 trapped in north China mine blast

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-06 14:25

SHIJIAZHUANG -- Thirteen people were trapped after a coal mine blast in north China's Hebei Province, police confirmed on Saturday.

An explosion occurred at around 3 a.m. Friday in a mine which had stopped production in Guye District, Tangshan City, trapping nine maintenance staff, the Tangshan City police said.

The mine owner then organized four people to enter the mine for rescue operation, but they also went missing, the police said.

Rescue work is still under way.

The cause of the blast remains unclear. The mine managers have been put under police watch.