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The last of the missing miners was reportedly found dead yesterday in the shaft of the Gaokeng coal mine after rescuers tallied 23 escapes of which 11 were injured and hospitalized.
According to official state media outlet Xinhua, the blast occurred Sunday at 1pm local time but failed to rally a rescue team sent from the State Administration of Work Safety until Monday morning.
The news follows closely on the gas blast that has so far confirmed 44 deaths at the Xiaojiawan coal mine in Sichuan province.
An official investigation into the Xiaojiawan disaster has initially placed blame on the mine’s owner Zhengjin Industry and Trade.
SAWS said Zhengjin was responsible for last week’s explosion through “chaotic management” and “sheer ignorance” of safety protocol.
An investigation into the cause of the Gaokeng explosion is underway.
