The death toll from a gas explosion in a mine in Heilongjiang province in north-east China has risen to 92.

A spokesperson for the mine in Hegang City says rescue workers are searching for 16 workers still trapped underground. It is not clear if they are still alive. The blast, in the early hours of Saturday morning, was caused by a build up of methane gas. The miners were preparing to evacuate when the explosion occurred. Most of the 528 miners working at the time of the accident managed to escape.
 

China's coal mines mines have a dismal safety record; official figures say that 1,175 people have died in coal mine accidents so far this year but independent labour organisations say the actual figures could be much higher as many accidents are covered up to prevent costly mine closures. Chinese mines are the most dangerous in the world and safety standards are often ignored in order to meet the soaring demand for coal, which provides about 70 percent of China's energy.