Rescue work is underway in Henan's Daping Mine, where a deadly gas explosion took place Wednesday night, leaving over 56 people dead and 148 missing.(Xinhua Photo)

  
 Relatives of trapped coal miners as well as blast survivers wait anxiously outside the mine for latest news, Oct. 21, 2004(Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior work safety official said here Thursday morning that there is slim hope for the 148 trapped coal miners in central China's coal mine blast to be rescued alive. 

    Deputy director of the State Administration of Work Safety Sun Huashan said that according to experiences in past coal mine disasters, the hope for those missing miners to come out alive is very weak.

    The gas explosion has left at least 56 people dead and 148 others missing, according to local sources.

    The blast occurred at 10:47 p.m. Wednesday in Daping Mine of Zhengmei Group which is located in Xinmi of Henan Province, according to local coal mine safety administration.

    When the tragedy happened, there were more than 400 people at work. More than 290 people managed to escape while 148 others weretrapped in the mine. Enditem