Some hope is held for the miners after rescuers heard voices from about 700m down a mine shaft. So far the rescuers have reached 625m but have been unable to go any further, BBC News reported.
The blast occurred early yesterday morning at the Karl Marx mine in the northeast of the country. Miners were carrying out repairs to improve safety at the mine at the time of the explosion.
The blast was so powerful that four miners working on the surface were injured and buildings were damaged, according to media reports.
Rescuers are now working against the clock with fears the mine could soon be flooded.
