Sixteen people were trapped in a coal mine gas explosion in north China's Shanxi Province, local authorities said Monday.

File photo: VCG

Investigators said there were 34 people in the mine at the time of the accident. Eighteen people have been rescued, five of whom have been sent to a local hospital, according to the Shanxi Administration of Coal Mine Safety.

Rescue work is under way.

(Compiled by Wang Zi)