Chongqing Municipal Administration of Coal Mine Safety was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying that the gas accident occurred at about 3:40pm when 28 miners were working down the shaft. Six workers have managed to escape with two injured.

The authorities said that bodies of all the missing miners have been rescued and are investigating the cause of the accident.

State-owned coal producer Nantong Mining operates the Yanshitai mine.

In recent months, China has witnessed a series of mining disasters. On 2 June, flooding at Xiandewang coal mine in Xingtai City left five miners trapped; however, they were rescued.

In May, a gas burst at Yushe Coal Mine in Shuicheng County, Guizhou Province, killed five miners and left four others missing.