3 still missing in fatal NE China mine explosion

Three miners remain missing 18 days after a gas explosion occurred at a coal mine in northeast China's Jilin province, rescuers said Thursday.

Search and rescue operations are still under way at the mine, which is located in the city of Baishan, the local rescue headquarters said.

The accident occurred at the Jisheng Coal Mine on Aug. 13, when 116 miners were working underground. Of the total, 95 escaped from the scene.

The death toll currently stands at 17. One injured miner remains hospitalized.

The miners are believed to have been trapped far away from the mine's major roadway, making hard for rescuers to reach them. The rescuers said the missing have only a slim chance of surviving.