The explosion at the Henan Hebi Coal Company mine occurred at 4.45am on Monday.

Chinaview reported rescue efforts were ongoing, led by director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety Supervision Zhao Tiechui, but did not specify how many miners remained trapped.

Henan is one of many Chinese provinces that has been plagued by coal fatalities this year. In August alone there were two reported accidents in the province that killed 27 workers.