AFP newswire reported a government statement said the three men died trying to save miners trapped in a colliery after a fire erupted underground.

It is known that one rescuer collapsed underground while trying to save the miners due to extreme temperatures, which led to two more men attempting to save the unconscious rescuer.

All three rescuers were dead when they were eventually brought to the surface according to AFP.

The number of men left underground in the mine is still unknown, but it is believed to be in the high 20s.

The news follows a recent surge of coal mine incidents in the country, including a mine collapse in China’s Guangxi Zhuang region which left 19 men trapped and three dead.

Twenty-one miners were also trapped in a separate incident in the Niupeng mine following heavy flooding in the region.

According to official statistics reported by AFP 2433 people died in coal mine accidents in China during 2010.