Top Chinese leaders have showed enormous concern over a deadly gas explosion which took place at the Chenjiashan Coal Mine in northwest China's Shaanxi Province at 7:20 a.m. Sunday, according to official sources.
So far, at least 25 miners were killed, while 141 others are still trapped in the mine which is under the authority of the Tongchuan Coal Mining Bureau.
Shortly after the accident occurred, President Hu Jintao gave important instructions urging the local government and departments concerned to "take substantial steps and spare no efforts" to save the trapped miners.
Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice Premier Huang Ju also ordered rescuers to try every means to minimize the number of casualties.
Central and provincial officials in charge of industrial safety have rushed to the site to direct rescue activities.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2004)
