A mine blast in central China's Henan Province has trapped 33 miners, the local government reports.

The blast occurred at 7:40 PM on Monday at the Wangzhuang Mine in Zhouzhuang Town, Baofeng County, when 42 people were working in the mine.

Nine miners managed to escape, local government sources said.

Local police are hunting for six people related to the coal mine, including the mine boss, mine manager and two deputy managers, who have absconded.

Zhao Tiechui, head of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, and provincial safety officials have arrived at the scene of the accident to direct the rescue work.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2007)