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A tragic accident in a coalmine leaves four dead and dozens trapped in China's Henan Province. Sources say a small earthquake nearby could have caused the mine to collapse.

An explosion in a coalmine has killed four miners and trapped 57 others underground, state media reported on Friday. The disaster occurred on Thursday night at a mine in Sanmenxia City, Henan Province.

Seventy-five miners were working in the pit when the blast occurred. 14 managed to escape. Five had to be pulled out, leaving 52 trapped.

The rock blast happened moments after a 2.9 magnitude earthquake shook Sanmenxia City.

A large pile of rocks blocking the shaft has hampered rescue efforts.

The mine belongs to the Henan Yima Coal Mine Group, a large state-owned mining firm.

China's mines are the deadliest in the world, due to lax safety standards.

In 2010, over 2,400 people died in coalmine accidents in China.