Death toll hits 92, with 16 still missing

HEGANG, China (AP) — China's official news agency now says at least 92 people are reported dead and 16 missing after Saturday's blast at a mine near the Russian border.

Search teams in mining carts have been descending in what authorities continue to call a rescue mission. Authorities say the missing miners are trapped about a third of a mile underground.

Local miners have been gathering in freezing weather near the still-steaming shaft of the nearly 100-year-old mine.

This weekend's accident is being called the deadliest in China's mining industry for two years. It's also throwing a spotlight on the human cost of the heavy demand for power-generating coal in China.

A provincial governor says development is important, but it "shouldn't be achieved at the price of miners' blood."

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<<CUT …050 (11/21/09)>> 00:05 "six a day"

Cara Anna

AP Correspondent Cara Anna reports that deaths in coal mines are not that unusual.

<<CUT …049 (11/21/09)>> 00:12 "in the country"

Cara Anna

AP Correspondent Cara Anna reports that coal mining is a big and often deadly business in China.

<<APPHOTO XAW114 (11/22/09)>>

: Rescuers head to the site of a gas explosion at the Xinxing mine in Hegang, Heilongjiang province, China, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. Rescuers worked in frigid cold to reach 21 miners trapped underground Sunday after a huge gas explosion in the northern Chinese mine, the deadliest blast to hit the beleaguered industry in nearly two years.

<<APPHOTO XAW113 (11/22/09)>>

: A coal miner helps rescuers ride a railway trolley as they head into the site of a gas explosion at the Xinxing mine in Hegang, Heilongjiang province, China, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. Rescuers worked in frigid cold to reach 21 miners trapped underground Sunday after a huge gas explosion in the northern Chinese mine, the deadliest blast to hit the beleaguered industry in nearly two years.

<<APPHOTO XAW106 (11/22/09)>>

: Rescuers stands at the smoke tunnel which lead into the site of a gas explosion at the Xinxing mine in Hegang, Heilongjiang province, China, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. Rescuers worked in frigid cold to reach 21 miners trapped underground Sunday after a huge gas explosion in the northern Chinese mine, the deadliest blast to hit the beleaguered industry in nearly two years.