Death toll rose to 30 and two others remain missing in a coal mine gas explosion in Yan'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, with three more bodies recovered on Monday, according to the rescue headquarters.

The gas blast happened at 4:20 p.m. Saturday in Wayaobao Township Coal Mine in Zichang County of Yan'an when 39 miners were working underground. Seven miners managed to escape to the ground.

Rescue operation is carried out tensely. An 8-member team led by Wang Shuhe, deputy director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, arrived at the site of the accident to direct the rescue efforts.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.

Wayaobao Township Coal Mine, about four kilometers away from the seat of Zichang County, is a legal, privately invested coal production entity with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons.

After the gas explosion, Shaanxi provincial government urged a checkup on all the province's coal mines in a bid to prevent possible accidents.

The local police have detained owner of the coal mine and other managerial staff.