Hope fades for eleven men trapped in China mine blast

Frantic rescuers last night feared the 11 Chinese miners trapped by a deadly gas blast may have suffocated or been buried by coal dust, as loved ones kept a vigil and the death toll rose to 26 with five more bodies recovered.

The Chinese mine drama unfolded as the world still was celebrating Chile's successful rescue of 33 miners trapped for more than two months. Chinese media had detailed coverage as the Chilean men emerged to cheers.

Du Bo, deputy chief of the rescue headquarters, told the state-run Xinhua News Agency yesterday that hopes that the others were still alive after Saturday's early morning blast were slim.

"Based on past experience, the remaining 11 miners could be buried in coal dust, so the survival chances are frail," Du said. Rescuers had to clear tons of coal dust from the mine shaft to reach the trapped workers, and they faced dangerous gas levels and the risk of falling rocks as they worked their way into the mine pit.

An initial investigation showed that six million cubic feet of gas rushed out, Xinhua said, citing rescuers. The outburst generated enough force to throw 2,500 tons of coal dust into the mine pit, it said.

"Fortunately, there was no gas explosion. Otherwise, the consequence would be disastrous, the agency said."

The gas wasn't specified, but methane is a common cause of mine blasts, and coal dust is explosive.

China celebrated its own stunning mine rescue earlier this year, when 115 miners were pulled from a flooded mine in the northern province of Shanxi after more than a week underground. The miners survived by eating sawdust, tree bark, paper and even coal. Some strapped themselves to the walls of the shafts with their belts to avoid drowning while they slept.

But it was a rare bright spot. About 2,600 people were killed in Chinese mining accidents last year.