21 miners trapped for months in China confirmed dead

World Today

Chinese authorities have confirmed the deaths of 21 missing miners who were trapped in an August mine collapse in Anhui, China, bringing the death toll to 27, state media reported Wednesday.

The official Xinhua News Agency said an explosion ripped through the Dongfang coal mine in the city of Huainan on Aug. 19. After 12 miners escaped, the search for the missing miners was hampered by collapsed shafts and gas pockets but ended with the confirmation of the 21 deaths. Six bodies had previously been found, Xinhua reported.

Chinese authorities determined that the mine was operating illegally.

This report was compiled with information from the Associated Press.