GUIYANG, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen miners were killed after a coal and gas outburst happened at a coal mine in southwest China's Guizhou Province early Tuesday, local authorities said on Wednesday.

Photo: CCTV

The accident happened at around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at Guanglong Coal Mine in Anlong County, when 23 workers were working underground. Seven workers have been lifted to safety.

Rescue work has ended and investigation is underway.