CHINA GAS BLAST KILLS DOZENS

CHINA SAYS AT LEAST 42 DEAD AND
66 TRAPPED IN COAL-MINE EXPLOSION

BEIJING (EP - BBC) - A coal-mine explosion in the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang happened when a total of 528 people were working in the Xinxing mine, the State Administration of Work Safety said in a statement. It said 389 escaped after the blast. China Central Television reported that 42 were dead, 31 rescued and the others trapped about a third of a mile (500 meters) underground. The report said the explosion was caused by a gas buildup. More than 70 others were trapped in the mine nearly a third of a mile under ground. The explosion shattered windows within 20 yards (meters) of the mine shaft, Chinese media report.

Most of the workers managed to escape the pit, but many were still trapped about a third of a mile (500m) underground. Many of the injured were being treated at the Hegang Mining Bureau Hospital, which said all 800 of its medical workers had joined the rescue operation. China depends heavily on coal to generate about three-quarters of its electricity needs. China's mines are the world's deadliest, and the blast shows the difficulties the government faces in trying to boost safety in an industry where large state-owned coal mines are considered safer than smaller, private ones. Most accidents are blamed on failures to follow safety rules, including a lack of required ventilation or fire control equipment.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Unless a man gains sufficient experience in course of his worldly sojourn, and is thoroughly convinced of his utter helplessness and the futility of his dependence on earthly objects, his pitiable condition continues to remain so for ever. As such, an inborn conviction that no other person except the Supreme Lord, is capable of saving him from the endless sufferings, he is at every moment subject to, is a favourable disposition in attaining this virtue.

Śrīla Bhakti Vaibhava Purī Mahārāj:
"Guru and Atma Nivedan" - 'Submission and Total Self-Surrender'
Śrī Krishna Chaitanya Mission.