Beijing:
At least six people were killed in a coal mine explosion in central China.
The blast occurred around 3 pm on Monday at Niulanchu Coal Mine in Hunan Province, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Six miners died on the spot and one was injured seriously and sent to a local hospital.
Rescuers are still searching for one more miner who went missing after the blast, authorities said.
An initial investigation showed that maloperations was to blame for the blast.
Further investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.