19.12¡ÆC
<p>A gas explosion inside a coal mine in southwestern China has killed seven people and injured two more.</p><p>Rescue crews at the Rongsheng mine in Guizhou province were able to save 11 people, including the two injured.</p><p>Authorities would not say what caused the explosion, and a phone number listed for the mine wasn't working.</p><p>China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, though it announced plans this year to shutter more than 1,000 outdated mines.</p><p>The head of China's State Administration of Work Safety said this year that struggling coal mines might be likely to overlook maintenance.</p><p>The administration reported 931 coal mine accident deaths in 2014, though outside experts often question government figures.<br></p>
