JINAN, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Eighteen people were confirmed dead and nine others injured in a coal mine blast that occurred last Thursday in Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, an official source said Monday.

    The blast went off at 6:50 p.m. in a colliery of the Zaozhuang Mining Group Co. where 27 miners were working. Fifteen miners were killed and 12 others injured on the spot.

    The provincial work safety watchdog said three injured mine workers died in hospital after days of medical treatment and the nine injured were all in good condition.

    Most of the involved workers were local farmers. The provincial government launched a safety check over all mines in the province right after the accident happened.

    The ill-fated mine is a joint-stock company founded in 2001.

    Experts attribute the accident to sudden coal dust burning and explosions. Further investigation is still going on. Enditem