A gas explosion at a coal mine in China has killed at least 42 people. Around 66 miners remain trapped underground.

Over 400 others who were in the mine at the time of the accident managed to reach safety. The mine is located in the northeastern province of Heilongjinag bordering Russia. Rescue workers are trying to make contact with the trapped miners. Lax safety standards make China's mines the deadliest in the world, with thousands of miners killed every year. Some 70 percent of China's energy comes from coal mines.
 

Heilongjiang province (Photo: Wikipedia)