Death toll in coal mine blast rises to 161
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-30 22:36

The death toll in a Chinese coal mine blast rose to 161 late Wednesday, with 10 miners still missing days after the disaster, the Xinhua News Agency said.

Miners prepare to head into the Dongfeng Coal mine in Qitaihe, in China's northeast Heilongjiang province Tuesday Nov. 29, 2005.  [AP]

The explosion occurred Sunday at the Dongfeng Coal Mine in the northeastern town of Qitaihe, and there were differing accounts as to how many miners were working underground at the time.

The death toll jumped from the previously reported 150 after emergency workers pulled more bodies from the mine on Wednesday, Xinhua said.  

The government has unveiled one safety campaign after another as it vows to stem the carnage.