China coal mine blast kills ten, three missing

Beijing: State media say the death toll from a coal mine explosion in southwestern China has risen to 10, with three workers still missing.

State-run China Central Television said rescuers were able to recover more bodies from the mine on Tuesday. The explosion occurred Friday at the state-owned Jinjia coal mine in Guizhou province's Liupanshui city, but high levels of gas hampered rescue efforts.

State media said four company officials have been ordered to resign.

China has the world's deadliest coal mine industry, with 1,973 miners killed in accidents in 2011.

Safety improvements have reduced deaths in recent years, but regulations are often ignored and accidents are still common.