(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-30 10:08

Harbin - One miner was confirmed dead and 18 others were trapped underground after a coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local work safety watchdog sources said Sunday.

The explosion occurred at about 6 pm Saturday in Shunfa Coal Mine of Mudanjiang City when 21 miners were working underground. Two people were rescued and one body was found as of 8:50 am Sunday, according to the provincial work safety administration.

Shunfa Coal Mine is an individual-owned mine with an annual production capacity of 40,000 tons.

Rescuers said the blast could be triggered by high density of gas and dust. Investigation into the accident is still underway.