9 workers killed in coal mine collapse in north China's Shanxi Province

At least nine workers have been killed and another rescued in a coal mine collapse in north China's Shanxi Province, rescuers said on Wednesday.

The collapse occurred at 10:45 AM on Tuesday at the Danshuigou colliery in Shuozhou City, when workers were doing shaft maintenance work.

In total there were ten people present at the time of the accident. The cause of the accident is under investigation, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier this month, 12 people were killed after a falling roof triggered a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China's Henan Province.

The explosion took place at Xingyu Colliery in Xuzhuang Township in the city of Dengfeng. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal. Its mining industry has long been one of the world's deadliest.