China: 9 workers, 3 rescuers dead after mine fire

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING (AA) – A fire at a limestone mine has left nine workers and three rescuers dead in northwest China.

State news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday that the fire had trapped the miners Tuesday afternoon in Zhangye City in Gansu Province.

After firefighters and a rescue team arrived at the site, three of them fainted during the operation and could not be revived.

Dozens of people are killed in accidents -- including fires, floods, landslides, explosions and gas leaks -- in mines in the country each year, raising questions about lax safety regulations.

Some of the mines where fatal incidents have occurred have been operated illegally.