Eight workers were killed in an explosion at a coal mine in central China's Hunan province, state media reported Saturday. The incident occurred on Friday when the workers were underground at the Jiahe mine in the city of Chenzhou, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing local coal industry officials, without providing further details.
China has a notoriously poor record for workplace accidents. Its coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world, with safety standards often ignored in the quest for profits and the drive to meet surging demand for coal - the source of about 70 percent of China's energy. Official figures show that more than 3,200 workers died in collieries last year, but independent labour groups say the actual figure could be much higher, as many accidents are covered up in order to avoid costly mine shutdowns.
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