China mine deaths: 18 killed in underground gas leak in Chongqing

Five still trapped after accident involving workers dismantling underground equipment at Diaoshuidong coal mine

Eighteen miners have been confirmed dead after a carbon monoxide leak at a coal mine in southwestern China, state media reported, with rescue efforts under way to reach five others still trapped underground.

Twenty-four miners were caught up in the accident at the Diaoshuidong mine in the city of Chongqing, around 1,800km south-west of Beijing, after the gas leak occurred on Friday, state broadcaster CCTV reported.