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Twenty-one coal miners killed in China

A Chinese worker paints the finishing touches on a coal mining machine ahead of the China International Coal and Mining Expo in Beijing October 25, 2011. China is both the largest coal producer and coal consumer in the world, as well as being the deadliest in coal mining. With international and domestic investment in the country's coal industry rising at an annual 50 percent in recent years, China will retain its current position as the leading global consumer of coal, even as it endeavors to diversify it energy resources. UPI/Stephen Shaver
1 of 3 | A Chinese worker paints the finishing touches on a coal mining machine ahead of the China International Coal and Mining Expo in Beijing October 25, 2011. China is both the largest coal producer and coal consumer in the world, as well as being the deadliest in coal mining. With international and domestic investment in the country's coal industry rising at an annual 50 percent in recent years, China will retain its current position as the leading global consumer of coal, even as it endeavors to diversify it energy resources. UPI/Stephen Shaver | License Photo

GUIYANG, China, March 13 (UPI) -- Rescue operations were under way in a coal mine in southwestern China where an accident killed 21 miners and left four others missing, local authorities said.

The victims were among 83 coal miners who were working underground when a blast occurred about 8 p.m. Tuesday, China's Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.

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Fifty-eight of the workers at the Machang Coal Mine in Guizhou province managed to get to the surface safely.

The cause of the accident was under investigation. Further details were not available.

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