In China, the death toll from yesterday's coal mine gas leak in central China's Henan Province has risen to 26 as five more bodies were found this morning. The Chief of the rescue headquarters, Mr. Du Bo said rescuers were battling to reach the 11 miners still trapped underground, but chances of their survival were very slim. He said based upon past experience, the remaining 11 miners could be buried in coal dust. Mr. Du Bo said more than 2,500 tonnes of coal dust smothered the pit after the gas leak, which hampered the rescue. The gas outburst occured yesterday morning when 276 miners were working underground in the mine in Yuzhou City. A total of 239 workers escaped but 26 were found dead and 11 others trapped.