Death toll from northeast China colliery explosion rises to 87

HEGANG, Heilongjiang, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Death toll from the deadly coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has risen to 87 as of 7 a.m. Sunday, said local authorities.

Heavy smoke rises from the entrance to the coal mine in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Nov. 21, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)

Another 21 are still trapped in the shaft.

The blast happened at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday at the Xinxing Coal Mine under the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group's subsidiary in Hegang City. A total of 528 miners were working underground, among whom 420 have escaped the accident, said staff with the company.