Four workers were missing on Sunday after a coal gas outburst in a mine in the central Hunan Province earlier in the day, the local coal mine safety supervision authority said.

The accident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. at the Xinqiao mine in Lianyuan City as 35 miners were working about 80 meters underground, according to a preliminary investigation.

Nine miners were initially trapped, while 26 were not affected.

Rescuers freed five of the trapped workers after more than one hour's effort. The search continues for the missing.

Further information about the mine was not immediately available.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2008)