A gas explosion struck a coal minein east China's Jiangxi Province on Monday, killing nine miners and injuring more than 20 others.

The blast occurred at about 12:20 p.m. Monday in one of the shafts of the Shangzhuang Coal Company in Fengcheng city, Jiangxi Province, according to sources with the Jiangxi Provincial Coal Group Corp.

So far, all of the bodies have been found. More than 20 miners were slightly injured.

Further investigation into the cause and rescue work are under way.

(Xinhua News Agency October 6, 2004)