At least 20 miners were killed and 17 others trapped Saturday after a gas explosion at a coal mine in China's central Henan province, state media reported, DPA reported.
The accident occurred at 6 am (2200 Friday GMT), at a mine in Yuzhou City, Henan, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Rescue work was underway trying to save 17 workers still trapped underground, the State Administration of Work Safety said on its website.
Another 239 workers had made their way safely out of the mine, the statement said.
More than 70 people were assisting with rescue operations, Chinese Central Television reported.
China's mines are notoriously dangerous, with poor safety standards leading to frequent accidents. More than 2,600 people died in Chinese mines last year.