A coal mine gas explosion killed nine workers in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Saturday, the local government reported.

The accident happened in Xiayukou Colliery of Hancheng City at 12:28 when 12 miners were working in an underground shaft.

Five made their way to the ground, but two died later. In the afternoon, rescuers found the bodies of seven others in the shaft.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)