QITAIHE, Heilongjiang, Dec. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- An investigation team sent by the central government has ordered immediate shutdown of Dongfeng colliery, where a fatal coal-dust explosion on Sunday has killed 164 miners.

Rescuers set out for a rescue operation. (Xinhua)

    Investigators have also asked the Heilongjiang provincial authorities to suspend the mine's licenses and conduct rectification in management.

    The blast went off at 9:40 p.m. Sunday at the Dongfeng colliery run by the Qitaihe branch of the Longmei Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

    The death toll has risen to 164 as of 8:00 a.m. Thursday, including two people on the ground.

A rescued miner with his grandson

    Three mine officials in connection with the accident have been removed from posts, including Qu Jixian, general manager of Longmei Group's Qitaihe branch, Ma Jinguang, head of Dongfeng mine and the mine's party chief Chen Zhiqiang.

    The accident has revealed some management loopholes, as latest figures indicate that 242 miners were working in the pit when the blast went off, instead of 221 claimed earlier.

    As of Thursday noon, 73 miners have been rescued and seven are still missing. Enditem