Two separate coal mine accidents in China have trapped 45 workers, Xinhua news agency reported today.
Nine miners escaped after an explosion late on Monday at the private Wangzhuang colliery in Baofeng county in the central province of Henan, Xinhua said.
The condition of another 33 miners was "unclear", it said, adding that rescuers are trying to inject inert gas to put out the fire.
The mine owner fled after the accident, making it difficult for experts to map out rescue plans without accurate geological data about the colliery, which has poor ventilation systems and high gas levels, Xinhua said.
Elsewhere on Monday, a pit flooded in Zhuzhou city in the southern province of Hunan, trapping 12 coal miners, Xinhua said. It added that rainy weather had hampered water pumping efforts.
A total of 4,746 Chinese coal miners were killed in thousands of gas explosions, floods and other accidents in 2006 as mine owners seek to meet robust demand and increase profits.