An explosion on Monday at the Fenhemao Coal Mine killed the 13 miners who were underground at the time. Two of six rescuers sent underground were also killed, and two workers repairing a roadway were killed in the neighbouring Xiaosangou Coal Mine.
The rescue efforts ended on Wednesday and compensation had begun for the dead miners’ families, said Li Jianguo, head of the Coal Mine Safety Center for the area.
Fenhemao is a village-run coal mine producing about 30,000 tons. Xinhuanet said it had safety credentials but its business certificate and production permit had expired.
