As of 11:30 PM Saturday, the death toll of the coal mine gas blast in northwest Shaanxi Province rose to five, while 26 others are still trapped underground.

The gas blast occurred at 4:50 PM Saturday in the Wayaobao Coal Mine, located in the county of Zichang.

Local government source said 39 miners were working underground when the blast occurred and only eight managed to escape.

The provincial government immediately organized the rescue operation and by press time the rescuers have made three attempts in search of the trapped.

Four of the eight rescued miners were seriously injured in the blast and are receiving treatment in a local hospital.

Shaanxi provincial government decided to hold an emergent meeting on Sunday to urge all the coal mines in the province to strengthen the work safety.

Investigation into the cause of the blast is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2006)