China coal mine blast kills 17 near Chenzhou

A coal mine accident killed 17 miners and injured one in a mining and metals-intensive region in southern China's Hunan province, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing the provincial work safety watchdog.

The miners died after mining explosives stored in the shaft blew up and released clouds of toxic gas at a township coal mine near Chenzhou on Saturday, the report said. (Reuters)