China has the world's deadliest coal mining industry. More than 3,000 people were killed in mine floods, explosions, collapses and other accidents in 2008 alone.

But despite safety concerns, unskilled workers and farmers are still going down into rickety and poorly ventilated shafts, tempted by relatively high wages.

Just a few miles from Saturday's blast, Zhu Xiulu and Li Liangcang are returning home after a 12 hour shift underground.

Both farmers are from Jinan in China's eastern Shandong Province. They came to Hegang to make more money.

At first they worked in one of the country's many illegal mines before it was closed down. They later began to work at a larger private mine which now has 300 workers.

[Zhu Xiulu, Miner]:
"Back at home there was no way to make a living, so I came out here to be a miner and make a bit of money. Each month we can make 3,000 yuan [$440 US dollars]. After money for eating and drinking we can save 2,000 [$290 US dollars] a month."

The two of them earn roughly twice as much as a construction worker in a large city like Beijing.

With a wife, a son and his own parents to support back in Shandong Province, 38-year-old Li Liangcang often works seven nights a week.

Li says financial pressure and weak social security safety nets gives him little choice.

[Li Liangcang, Miner]:
"We all know going down into the mines is dangerous. But what can we do? I'm not young any more -- 37 or 38 -- and it's too late to learn a skill. I've got kids below me and parents above me to take care of. It's not a question of choice. You have a family that depends on you. If you don't do this job, what else can you do?"

Coal is a way of life for families in areas like Hegang, many of whom rely entirely on their local mines for income. Even the snow on village roadsides is blackened by coal dust.