Reuters reported 70 bodies have been pulled from the mine, with a search continuing to find 26 missing miners.

Fifteen miners survived the blast at the Xinyao mine.

According to Reuters , authorities suspect the mine may have delayed reporting the accident to emergency source, rather launching its own efforts, which may have contributed to the high death toll.

The mine's manager and legal representatives have been arrested by police after the blast and the mine's licence suspended and finances frozen until the accident is looked into.