Chinese mine blast kills 40

At least 40 miners have been killed in a gas blast in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi.

The explosion occurred on 15 April in the province's Linfen district.

China is the world's largest consumer and producer of coal, but its miners pay a heavy price.

More than 3,600 hundred were killed in accidents in the first nine months of last year alone.

Search continues

Rescue workers have recovered 40 bodies and are still searching for three miners unaccounted for. One miner was rescued two days after the blast.

Mine accidents in 2000

15 April: 40 miners die in Shanxi province

18 March: 27 killed in Heilongjiang province

8 March: 23 killed in explosions at two mines in Sichuan

11 January: 14 killed in Jiangsu province

The authorities are investigating what caused the explosion.

Reports in the Chinese press say the government has carried out wide-ranging safety meetings and mine inspections after a series of mine explosions earlier this year.

In some cases mine managers have been arrested.