The death toll in north China's coal mine blast has risen to 73 by 3:00 PM on Sunday, according to rescuers.

The accident occurred at 2:17 AM at the Tunlan Coal Mine of Shanxi Coking Coal Group in Gujiao City, about 50 km away from Taiyuan, the provincial capital, when 436 miners were working underground.

Rescuers said among 113 hospitalized miners, 21 miners are still in critical condition.

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2009)