Hopes fade for trapped miners

Thousands are killed in China's mines every year

Hopes are fading for more than 100 people still missing following a massive coal mine explosion in south-west China.

China relies heavily on coal to power its economic growth

Rescue workers have recovered 12 more bodies from the rubble, bringing the confirmed death toll to 48.

But the total could be as high as 158, according to local officials.

Nearly 250 miners were below ground when the gas explosion ripped through the Mu Gong Gou mine in Shuicheng, Guizhou province, on Wednesday evening.

Trail of disasters

July-Sept 2000: 286 killed

Jan-Sept 1999: 3,464 killed

1998: 7,423 killed

Most deaths caused by gas explosions

10,000 more die of lung disease every year

Rescue crews worked through Thursday night and into Friday pumping air into the mine.

The search teams are using picks, shovels and their bare hands to try to open a route to any possible survivors.

Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that 83 injured men had been pulled out.

But one mine official said there was little chance of survival for those still beneath the surface.

"There is no sign of life at the moment," he added.

200m underground

It's too dangerous to use machines or explosives, it could lead to another collapse

Mine official

The official said it could take up to a week before the rescue workers were able to find all the miners, some of whom were as deep as 200 metres (600 feet).

"More than 100 are dead," added a woman from the mine office. "In some cases, two or three brothers are missing and feared dead down there."

Most mines have poor communication and safety equipment

However, a local police official refuted reports that the authorities believed all the trapped miners had died.

"We're trying our best to save them. Our hopes are high because it's a state-owned mine, not a private one and it's built well.

"The rescue crews are getting closer and closer to the victims. There will soon be news," he added.

Poor safety

China is the biggest producer and consumer of coal in the world.

But the country's mines have an appalling safety record with nearly 10,000 mining deaths reported yearly over the past decade.

Thousands more are maimed each year in underground accidents.

Reports said Mu Gong Gou employed 4,000 people and miners earned between $60 and $120 per month.

A coal industry chief said China intended to shut down 18,900 coal mines this year in addition to 33,000 already closed.