BRIEF-8 Dead, 15 Missing In Central China Coal Mine Accident - Xinhua News Agency

* PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A COAL AND GAS OUTBURST * LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE MOUNTED A RESCUE OPERATION.

XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: * 8 DEAD, 15 MISSING IN CENTRAL CHINA COAL MINE ACCIDENT

* ACCIDENT OCCURRED FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN COAL MINE IN CITY OF PINGDINGSHAN, CENTRAL CHINA'S HENAN PROVINCE, LOCAL AUTHORITIES SAID * THE RESCUERS HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE REST 22 PEOPLE

* ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT 2:55 P.M. IN A COAL MINE OF THE PINGDINGSHAN TIANAN COAL MINING CO., LTD. * PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A COAL AND GAS OUTBURST

* LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE MOUNTED A RESCUE OPERATION. FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ACCIDENT ARE UNDERWAY