At least 25 people died in a fire on Thursday in the building of a coal mining company in the northwest Chinese province of Shanxi, Chinese news agency, Xinhua reports.
More than 60 people were evacuated during the rescue efforts, which were still underway.
The exact cause of the fire was initially unclear.
Chinese state media reported that the fire broke out on the second floor of a five-storey building in the city of Lyuliang early in the morning.
The exact number of victims was still unknown, according to authorities.
The building belonged to the Yongju coal company.
Working conditions in China’s mining industry are considered extremely dangerous.
According to official figures, there were 518 accidents in mines last year.
The world’s second-largest economy is a major global producer of coal. (dpa/NAN)
