Beijing, Feb 4 At least 13 people were killed and eight others injured when an explosion ripped through a coal mine in southwest China's Sichuan province, local authorities said today.
The blast occurred yesterday at Diaoyutai Coal Mine in Junlian county in the city of Yibin.
Eleven miners died on the spot while two others succumbed to their injuries on way to hospital, local officials were quoted as saying by the state-run media.
Treatment was being given to eight other people injured in the blast, four of whom are in critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting provincial work safety administration.
One person was still missing and rescue work was continuing.
The cause of the explosion was under investigation.