4 still trapped by mine blast, 104 confirmed dead

Hundreds of rescue workers are scrambling to locate four miners still trapped in the shaft. Vice Premier, Zhang Dejiang, and provincial officials arrived at the site on Saturday shortly after the explosion.

The State Council held a meeting on Monday and organized a thorough investigation into the accident. A sudden gas buildup is believed to have triggered the explosion. The Council also discussed disaster relief work and direct economic losses. Three officials from the state-owned company operating the coal mine have been discharged. The tragedy is China's worst coal mine disaster of the year.

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Yan said, "Every miner here is like my brother. I felt so sad about this  accident. But there's nothing we could do to save them."

Survived miners recall lead-up to deadly blast

Yan Xianchun managed to successfully escape. He said every miner was equipped with an emergency oxygen walker. One of Yan's co-worker fell down during the panicked escape. Yan Xianchun tried to use his own oxygen walker to save his fellow miner, but was unsuccessful. Full story >>