Eleven mine workers were killed because of carbon monoxide poisoning in a coal mine in northern China. They died after an air compressor caught fire inside the mine in north China's HebeiProvince, local authorities said on Friday.
Two more miners are still missing. The accident occurred last night in a coal mine in Huailai county of Zhangjiakou City, the publicity department of ZhangjiakouCity said.
The mine belongs to the Zhangkuang Group, a subsidiary of Jizhong Energy Group Co. Ltd, state run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.
Thirteen miners were working in the mine when the accident happened. China's mines are notoriously hazardous, with 1,384 people killed in coal mine accidents last year. Safety improvements have reduced deaths over the years, but regulations are often ignored.