Beijing, April 18 (IANS): The toll in the flooded Xiahaizi coal mine in southwest China's Yunnan province rose to 19 Friday as rescuers found 14 more bodies. Three other miners were still missing, officials said.
The accident happened April 7 when 26 miners were working at the Xiahaizi coal mine in Qujing City, and 22 miners were trapped underground. Four miners were rescued, Xinhua reported.
Investigators believe the flooding was caused by an explosion.
Rescuers retrieved four bodies Thursday and one Wednesday.
Narrow underground spaces and the complicated layout of the mine have hampered the search efforts.
Rescuers are continuing to look for the other three miners.
According to an earlier report, five miners were killed and 17 were still trapped.