Two people are missing following a coal mine blast on Monday afternoon in southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to local authorities.

The accident took place at 4:20 PM Monday, when 42 miners were working underground in the state-owned Enhong Coal Mine in Qujing, Yunnan. Forty people managed to escape, two of whom were injured, said Zhang Yong, vice head of Qilin District where the mine is located.

Rescuers are still searching for the other two missing miners.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2006)