At least sixteen people died because of excessively high levels of carbon monoxide after being trapped inside a coal mine in southwest China, Reuters reported, citing Xinhua news agency.
Seventeen miners got trapped in a coal mine in the city of Chongqing, local authorities said. A survivor was taken to a hospital and his condition is critical, according to AFP.
The carbon monoxide was produced after a conveyor belt caught fire early on Sunday morning, the news agency said. The burning of belts in the mine reportedly caused carbon monoxide to exceed safety limits. However, Qijiang district government officials said an investigation was underway to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The Songzao Coal Mine, the facility where the incident occurred, is owned by state energy firm Chongqing Energy and is situated just outside the city of Chongqing.
A rescue team of 75 personnel…