HARBIN, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The bodies of all 37 miners killed in a gas explosion had been recovered from the Baixing Coal Mine, in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, by Friday.

    Thirty-three bodies had been claimed by relatives and 23 would be cremated on Saturday, said a member of the rescue team.

    Poisonous gas residues in the shaft slowed the rescue work on Thursday.

    The blast occurred in the mine in Jixi City at 6:10 a.m. Monday,when 37 miners were working in the shaft about 300 meters below ground. Officials are investigating the accident. Enditem