In brief: Mine blast kills 20 in Henan province

Beijing – An explosion in a Chinese coal mine killed 20 and trapped more than 30 workers underground today in the country’s central region, state media reported.

China Central Television said the blast happened in Henan province.

China’s mining industry is the most dangerous in the world, and more than 2,600 people died in mining accidents last year.

Nine die in strikes by U.S. drones

Mir Ali, Pakistan – Suspected U.S. unmanned aircraft launched two missile strikes in a Pakistani tribal region along the Afghan border, killing nine people, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

The missile attacks targeted two villages near Mir Ali in North Waziristan.

The U.S. has sharply escalated its use of unmanned drone missile strikes targeting militants in Pakistan’s border region in the last two months.

The U.S. carried out 21 such strikes in September, nearly double the previous monthly record, and it has already launched 16 this month including those Friday, according to an Associated Press count.

Gold mine collapse traps miners

Quito, Ecuador – A tunnel collapsed in a gold mine in southern Ecuador on Friday, trapping four miners 490 feet underground. Authorities said rescue efforts were under way.

A miner who survived the cave-in told authorities that four of his colleagues remain trapped in the mine, located near the city of Portovelo, about 250 miles southwest of the capital, Quito.