Rescue efforts under way to save 14 trapped miners (4)

In an attempt to diversify its economy from the heavy reliance on the mining industry, Qitaihe is carrying out an economic transformation, it said.

A series of coal mine accidents have occurred in the past three months, suggesting China is still being haunted by safety problems in its mines.

An explosion of gas and coal claimed 23 lives and injured five people in a mine in Liupanshui of Guizhou province on Nov 24.

The biggest mine accident this year occurred on Aug 29, when 48 people were killed and 54 injured in a gas explosion in a coal mine in Panzhihua, Sichuan province. The accident led to the detention of 14 people who were found responsible and the suicide of another person involved in the case.