At least 21 dead, 4 missing in China mining accident At least 21 miners have died and four others are trapped after a mine explosion in China. NBCNews.com's Richard Lui reports. BEIJING - China says 21 coal miners have been killed and four more are missing following an accident inside a mine in the southern province of Guizhou. The State Administration of Work Safety said Wednesday that a rescue effort had been mounted. State media reported that another 58 miners escaped the accident. China's mines have long been the world's deadliest, although the government announced last month that the total death toll fell by more than 30 percent last year to 1,384 as a result of stricter management. China is the world's largest producer of coal, which generates about two-thirds of its energy needs.