One person was killed and another 10 are missing after a colliery accident in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality Thursday afternoon, local government reported.

The accident occurred at 5:10 PM in Yuejin Coalmine in Nanping County, in the Nanchuan District of Chongqing, when 11 people were working underground. As of press time, one body had been found and the others were missing.

Initial investigations revealed the accident was caused by a gas explosion in the pit, according to the Chongqing Coal Mine Safety Administration

Another four people, who were carrying out safety inspections, managed to escape right after the blast.

A rescue team led by Chongqing vice mayor Xie Xiaojun has rushed to the scene.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)