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Summary Seven miners trapped in a coal mine which collapsed in northern China on Friday have been rescued.
The mine in the coal-rich Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region collapsed early in the morning trapping 12 miners, regional mining authorities told Xinhua, the latest accident in an industry plagued by corruption and safety hazards.Coal mine accidents are common in China, where work safety is often neglected by bosses seeking a quick profit.Last week, at least 34 workers were killed after a blast at a mine in Chinas southwestern province of Yunnan, Xinhua reported on November 13, three days after that accident.Chinas rapid economic growth has brought rising demand for power. It relies on coal for 70 percent of its energy needs, making it the worlds largest consumer of the fossil fuel.Last year, 2,433 people died in coal mining accidents in the country, according to official statistics -- a rate of more than six workers per day.Labour rights groups, however, say the actual death toll is likely to be much higher, partly due to under-reporting of accidents as mine bosses seek to limit their economic losses and avoid punishment.
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