At least 17 miners were killed in two separate coal mine accidents that occurred hours apart, as the country's top work-safety body vowed to prevent accidents during the upcoming festivities for New Year's Day and Spring Festival.

At about 1:50 am yesterday in Shuangbai county, Yunnan province, a gas buildup caused a mineshaft collapse, killing five miners and trapping another six, local authorities said.

"Rescuers are facing huge difficulties," said Meng Fu, an official from the local publicity department, who had arrived at the mine earlier yesterday.