Mine collapse kills 18 in China

Eighteen miners were killed when a shaft collapsed at a colliery in central China, state media said.

A group of 28 miners were working underground when the accident happened on Tuesday morning at the state-owned mine in Shaanxi province.

Twelve men were rescued, but two of them later died in hospital, Xinhua news agency said.

On Wednesday, rescuers confirmed that they had found the bodies of the other 16 miners.

Rescue efforts were hampered by heavy smoke and dust in the tunnel, the agency said.

Safety officials are investigating the cause of the collapse.

China's coalmines are the deadliest in the world, with an average of 10 miners killed every day in 2007.

In recent years, the government has introduced regulations aimed at improving safety.

But soaring demand for energy and widespread local corruption means that owners and operators often ignore safety measures in favour of increased production and greater profits.