The explosion occurred about 2.30pm Wednesday afternoon at the Changping Coal Mine, Chinaview reported.

At the time of the accident, 27 miners were underground.

Rescue efforts are continuing.

In a separate accident on Monday, 17 miners were killed in an illegal coal mine in northern China.

The gas leak occurred at the Fenhemao Coal Mine in Shanxi province.

Thirteen workers from the mine, two from a neighbouring mine and six rescuers were killed in the accident, Dow Jones International News reported.