China Mine Explosion Leaves 18 Dead

4/21/2013 3:50 AM ET

At least 18 people are feared dead and 12 others injured in a coal mine blast in northeast China's Jilin Province, according to the official Chinese new agency Sunday. The accident occurred at Qingxing coal mine in Helong City with at least 73 miners working underground at the time of the explosion. Rescue workers are reported to have rescued at least 55 workers.
The blast occurred around Saturday afternoon. Officials said the rescue operations came to an end Sunday morning and an investigation has been launched to look into the cause of the explosion.