24 China coal miners die in gas leak

HENAN, China, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A gas leak at a coal mine killed at least 24 miners in central China, Xinhua reported Wednesday.

There were 43 miners working in the mine when the leak happened Tuesday at the Xingfa Coal Mine in Yuzhou city in Henan province. The provincial administration of coal mine safety said 17 survived, but two miners were missing.

According to the official figures, there were about 2,700 deaths in mine-related incidents in China during the first half of the year. Independent estimates indicate the true figure is far higher as mine operators often falsify death tolls to escape closures and fines.