16 dead in China coal-mine fire

GUIYANG, 25th September, 2023 (WAM) -- Sixteen people have been confirmed dead in a coal-mine fire in the city of Panzhou, southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Sunday morning, state news agency (Xinhua) reported.The fire occurred around 8:10 am at the Shanjiaoshu Coal Mine in Panguan Town, according to the city government of Panzhou.Initial investigations suggest that the 16 people were trapped after a conveyor belt caught fire.The blaze has been extinguished, and temperatures have returned to normal at the site of the fire, officials said. Rola AlGhoul/ Esraa Esmail Source: Emirates News Agency