21 workers were killed in a coal mining accident in the southern Chinese province Guizhou.

58 workers were able to escape but 4 are still missing. Rescue attempts are underway but there is no word on how authorities are planning to reach the 4 trapped men. The Chinese coal mines are considered the most dangerous mines in the world.

In September of 2012, a steel cable broke pulling two carriages at a coalmine in Northern China, 20 people were killed in that accident.

In 2012 there was an explosion at the Guizhou mine that killed 18 people. This is the same mine where the 21 miners were killed this week.

In 2011, 16 workers were killed in the same mine as a result of a coal gas outburst. According to the Daily Star 1,973 people were killed in coalmining accidents in 2011.

In 2010 China had a week of coal mine accidents that claimed the lives of many workers. There were four reported accidents in April 2010.

The Chinese are the largest producers of coal in the world. Coal makes up 2/3 or the country's energy needs.