The number of deaths caused by coal mine gas explosions in China declined sharply during the first half of this year, coal mine safety authorities said. A total of 245 people died in 62 gas explosions that occurred between January and June this year, a year-on-year reduction of 31.2 and 25.3 percent respectively, the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety said.

China has made new headway in coal mine work safety with fewer accidents and deaths since the start of this year, said Zhao Tiechui, head of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety (SACMS), on Tuesday. This year 512 coal mine accidents have been