China explosion kills 16 miners

An explosion has killed at least 16 coal miners in a mine that illegally reopened after being closed for safety reasons.

Another 77 miners are missing and rescuers are trying to dig them out, according to the China's official news agency, Xinhua.

More than 100 miners were caught in the blast 260 metres (850 feet) below ground at the privately-run pit in Xuzhou city when a build-up of gas triggered the blast on Sunday morning.

Thirteen people have been rescued so far, according to local media.

Local authorities banned the mine's operation on 15 June, but it was said to have re-opened this month.

The coal contractor has now been detained.

Safety checks

China's coal industry is the world's largest, but has a poor safety record, with 5,300 deaths reported last year in mining accidents.

Almost 600 miners died in accidents in a six-week period in May and June this year alone.

The government had ordered all state-owned small mines to close for safety checks last month, and had cracked down on tens of thousands of illegal, privately run mines.

Most miners comes from poor rural areas with high unemployment, and are willing to jeopardise their lives to earn a living.