The death toll from a gas explosion at a coal mine in northeast China rose to 27 with the bodies of three missing miners being recovered, local authorities said on Thursday.

The explosion took place at 9 a.m. Thursday when 41 miners were working in the mine in Fuxin, Liaoning Province, among whom 14 returned to the ground on their own, sources said.

Six of the 14 survivors were injured and hospitalized.

The mine began operation in 1999 with an annual capacity of 40,000 tonnes.

Deputy director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety Fu Jianhua and Liaoning Vice Governor Li Jia have rushed to the mine to guide rescue efforts.

Investigation into the cause is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2008)