A colliery gas explosion in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Wednesday afternoon has killed seven miners, according to local sources quoted by Xinhua News Agency today.

The blast occurred at around 2:30 PM at Changping Coal Mine in Fengjie County.

Twenty-seven miners were working underground when the explosion took place, 20 of whom were rescued.

By press time, an investigation into the cause of the accident is still underway.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2005)