17 missing in Guizhou colliery blast
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-18 15:19

GUIYANG -- A township-owned colliery blast caused 17 miners missing at early Friday moring, in Panlong Town, Liupanshui City of southwest China's Guizhou Province, according to sources with the provincial work safety supervision bureau.

At 6:50 a.m. Friday, the Shagou colliery in the Panlong Town exploded and triggered cave-in, with 26 miners on the spot. Nine escaped and the other 17 were missing.

An official with the local government said the colliery, with designed annual production capability of 30,000 tons, has a full set of licenses, except for the work safety license.

Rescue work is still underway at press time.