CHANGSHA- A gas explosion has left two workers dead and 28 others trapped in a coal mine in central China's Hunan Province Saturday evening, said the State Administration of Work Safety.

The accident happened at about 6:10 p.m. in the Xialiuchong Coal Mine in Hengshan County in the city of Hengyang, according to the administration.

At that time, 35 miners were working underground, of whom five were rescued, and two have been confirmed dead, while the rest 28 workers remained trapped.

The five workers have been rushed to hospital and reported no life-threatening conditions.

The search and rescue efforts are under way.